THIS last photo of King Charles looking so good with Queen Camilla the day after their 19th wedding anniversary brought me great joy.
Not just because it’s heartening to see our monarch recovering.
But the truth is that I really missed working with him.
After long weeks of worrying about him since those dark days in January when it was announced that the King had cancer, I went to Windsor Castle at Easter to photograph him with members of the Royal Family.
And when they told me he was going for a walk after church on Easter Sunday, I knew things were looking up.
His face glowed and the enthusiasm I had witnessed for over 40 years was still there. He looked really good.
And when he went and hugged the crowd, shaking their hands, I knew he was on the mend.
He finally got in touch with the public he missed so much while recovering from his terrible illness, post-prostate operation and cancer treatment.
It’s been an incredible year for King Charles and his devoted queen, Camilla.
In their statement, they reveal how grateful they are for the “many kindnesses and good wishes” they received during the “joys and challenges of the past year”.
Almost 12 months ago, the coronation was a huge success.
As I photographed the newly crowned King and Queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, they looked at each other and almost seemed to be saying “we did it, we really did it”.
Charles had big plans, some of which are already underway, such as opening Balmoral to the public this summer and creating a solar farm on his Norfolk estate, Sandringham.
But then came his cancer diagnosis. And the Royal Family suffered a double blow when the Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery which was followed by her own cancer diagnosis.
The loss of two important family members – and then William, who had to care for Catherine and the children – added to her problems.
If it weren’t for these setbacks, I’m sure Charles would have planned much more.
His well-received Christmas broadcast gave no hint of the illness that would hit him in January.
He is an incredibly fit man who works out, clocks his diet and has 97 military uniforms that still fit.
Timeline of the battle for King Charles’ health
January 17th: Buckingham Palace announces that the king has been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate
January 26th: The Sun exclusively photographs the King arriving at the London Clinic for his ‘corrective procedure’
January 29th: Seen waving and smiling as he leaves the hospital after another night
February 5th: Palace revealed while in hospital for a prostate operation, doctors discovered that the king has a type of cancer
February, 10th: King issues ‘heartfelt thanks’ in written statement
February 21st: King tells Rishi Sunak he was ‘reduced to tears’ by get well letters
March 21st: Princess of Wales and King have lunch at Windsor Castle
March 22: Kate announces via video statement that she is being treated for cancer
March 31: King attends Easter Sunday service and tells stories on a ‘walk’ with members of the public and aides say ‘it was a significant step’ as KIng ‘responded to the treatment in a very encouraging way’
April 4: The Sun exclusively reveals King has ordered aides to ‘overload’ his diary for the summer and is ‘raring to go’
April 10: King and Queen vacation at Birkhall in the Scottish Highlands
April 26: Buckingham Palace announces King will return to frontline public duties
Future:
April 30th: King will mark his public return by visiting a cancer hospital with the Queen
May 8th and 21st: Buckingham Palace Garden Parties
May 21st to 25th: Chelsea Flower Show
June 6: D-Day 80th anniversary celebrations in France and the United Kingdom
15th of June: Trooping the Color anniversary parade in London
June 17th: Garter Day Parade at Windsor Castle
June 18th to 22nd: Royal Ascot
June’s end: State Visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan
July 3: Holyrood Week in Scotland
October: Two or three week tour of Australia
Charles is also a workaholic.
Despite his illness, the king has done as much work as he can, dealing with his red boxes every day.
Whenever possible, he held his weekly audience with the Prime Minister and dealt with the comings and goings of ambassadors, as well as his duties in the Privy Council.
But he had to leave his royal visits and engagements to his wife, his son Prince William, brother Edward and sister Anne.
So after almost four months away, it’s great to see him planning to get back to work as soon as possible. next week with his visit to a cancer center.
And the lovely photo the Palace released yesterday of the King and Queen looking so happy and relaxed in the Buckingham Palace garden certainly tells me that we will be working together very soon.
And I, for one, can’t wait.
Everything we know about King Charles’ return to work
Q: Does today’s announcement mean that King Charles’ cancer treatment has been successful or completed?
A: The King’s treatment program is ongoing, but doctors are “sufficiently satisfied” with the progress so far and Charles can now resume a number of public duties. Other real commitments will be adapted where necessary to reduce any recovery risks.
Q: How long will King Charles receive treatment?
A: Although it’s too early to tell, King’s medical team is “very encouraged” by the progress made so far and remains “positive” about his recovery.
Q: How many engagements will King Charles undertake in the coming weeks and months.
A: They will be announced closer to the time in the usual way and will remain under medical guidance. It will not be a full summer program. Her Majesty will continue with all official State and selected public business.
Q: Is there a risk that King Charles is taking on too much responsibility with these external roles?
A: King’s schedule will be carefully crafted to meet his recovery needs and he will be in close consultation with his medical team.
Q: Will King Charles take part in the birthday parade, D-Day celebrations, garden parties, Royal Ascot or an autumn tour abroad?
A: Planning continues regarding ways in which the King and Queen will be able to attend these summer and fall engagements. All future plans remain under medical guidance.
Q: How is King Charles?
A: The Palace said: “Her Majesty is very encouraged to resume public duties and very grateful to her medical team for their continued car and expertise.”
Charles’ doctors are ‘positive’ about King’s cancer recovery
KING Charles’ doctors are ‘positive’ about his cancer recovery as he returns to work 11 weeks after diagnosis.
The monarch is well enough to return to frontline public duties, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Palace officials say the 75-year-old king is still undergoing cancer treatment, but his medical team is “very encouraged by the progress” and “remains positive” about his recovery.
Charles will be joined by Camilla, 76, who decides to make her public comeback by visiting a cancer hospital to speak to staff and patients, together on Tuesday.
The palace also confirmed that it will host a state visit from the Emperor and Empress of Japan this summer.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story