King Charles III to return to public-facing duties despite his struggle with cancer, while doctors are sufficiently pleased with his progress so far and are positive about his continued recovery, Buckingham Palace announced.
“Doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress so far that the king is now able to resume a number of public-facing duties,” according to the spokesperson.
Nevertheless, Phillips, the eldest of the late Queen Elizabeth’s eight grandchildren and son of Princess Anne, earlier reported that the King is “frustrated” because his recovery is taking longer than he would like. The King to continue his treatment while resuming some public engagements, but he will not undertake a full summer programme.
His Majesty The King will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis.
His first visit on Tuesday will be to a cancer centre accompanied by Queen Camilla, although it is not a centre directly involved in his medical care. He is expected to meet medical professionals and patients as a patron of Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.
To help mark this milestone, The King and Queen will make a joint visit to a cancer treatment centre next Tuesday, where they will meet medical specialists and patients. This visit will be the first in a number of external engagements His Majesty will undertake in the weeks ahead.
In the months of July and August, the King has an event planned for the opening of the doors of Balmoral Castle for the most intimate tours ever allowed in the British Royal Family’s favourite private Scottish home. In addition, he will also host a State Visit by the Emperor and Empress of Japan in June:
The King and Queen will host Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan for a State Visit in June, at the request of HM Government.
The palace spokesperson said as follows: “His Majesty is greatly encouraged to be resuming some public-facing duties and very grateful to his medical team for their continued care and expertise.” Interactions will be tailored to minimise any risks to his continued recovery. The spokesperson added that it was too early to say how long Charles’ treatment would continue, but his medical team were pleased with the progress:
“Any public-facing engagements will be announced nearer the time in the usual way, and will remain subject to doctors’ advice, but it will not be a full summer programme. His Majesty will of course continue with all official state business and selected audiences, as he has done throughout his period of treatment.”
Charles will now be able to meet people both indoors and outdoors, but each interaction will be carefully screened to minimise any risk to his continued recovery. Also, the King’s engagements will be regulated to ensure he does not overdo it while his treatment continues, and the “pacing” will be “carefully calibrated as his recovery continues, in close consultation with his medical team,” according to the spokesperson.
The King’s summer programme under normal circumstances would include a birthday parade, D-Day celebrations, annual garden parties at Buckingham Palace, Royal Ascot and an autumn tour abroad.
“Planning continues for ways in which Their Majesties may attend such summer and autumn engagements, though nothing can be confirmed or guaranteed at this stage.”
Charles’ cancer was diagnosed after treatment for a benign enlarged prostate, although it is not prostate cancer. Buckingham Palace said it has no plans to disclose further information about his specific condition or treatment plan at this stage. The royal divides his time between his Sandringham estate in Norfolk and London, where he is receiving treatment.
Earlier on 22 March, the Princess of Wales revealed that she had also been diagnosed with unspecified cancer and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy. In late March, King Charles III issued a public statement emphasising the importance of acts of friendship after he and Catherine, Princess of Wales, were diagnosed with cancer.
