King Charles suspended public duties in February after his cancer diagnosis
London:
Crowds of well-wishers on Tuesday greeted King Charles III in his first official public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer, after doctors said they were “very encouraged” by the progress of his treatment.
The British head of state and his wife, Queen Camilla, visited the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Center in central London, which diagnoses and treats a wide range of cancers.
King Charles, 75, is patron of Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support, while Camilla, 76, is president of Maggie’s, another cancer support charity.
Outside the center, the couple smiled and waved to the crowd and press before heading inside to meet medical specialists, patients and their families.
King Charles suspended public duties in February after cancer was discovered while he was being treated for an enlarged prostate the previous month.
The exact nature of his cancer has not been disclosed.
His daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, 42, underwent abdominal surgery in January and said in March that she was receiving chemotherapy.
Again, no details were provided about the type of cancer she has. Kate Middleton, as she is widely known, is married to King Charles’ eldest son and heir, Prince William.
Tuesday’s event was the first in a series of events planned over the coming weeks and was designed to raise awareness of the importance of early cancer diagnosis and highlight ground-breaking research, Buckingham Palace said.
King Charles, who succeeded his mother Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, was officially crowned king on May 6 last year.
He has been seen attending religious services since his diagnosis and in select audiences. He also continued his official state business.
On Friday, Buckingham Palace said doctors were “very encouraged” by the progress of his treatment and were “positive” about his continued recovery.
Knowledge
His outpatient treatment will continue, but his schedule in the coming weeks will be reduced and subject to medical advice, a spokesperson added.
An upcoming engagement is a state visit by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan in June.
Members of the public last week welcomed the king’s return to some duties and hailed him for raising awareness about cancer, which will affect one in two people, according to Cancer Research UK.
“It’s a huge problem in today’s society,” Keegan Gray, 23, a demolitions manager from New Zealand, told AFP.
“A lot of people have cancer and a lot of people keep it to themselves, they’re a little shy about it.”
He said it was “very beautiful” that the king was raising awareness about cancer and the work of treatment clinics.
Actress Annie Rae Donaghy, 21, said the king’s condition will remind people that “everyone struggles with this” regardless of status.
King Charles and Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnoses have created a headache for the royal family, with both postponing public engagements.
Prince William also took a step back to support his wife and three young children, leaving fewer royals to fill the schedule.
Camilla, 76, has taken on many of her husband’s commitments. King Charles’s sister, Princess Anne, and his younger brother, Prince Edward, also took on more prominent roles.
King Charles’ youngest son, Prince Harry, is no longer a royal but is expected in London on May 8 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games for disabled military veterans.
He will then join his American wife Meghan on a visit to Nigeria.
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