King Charles continues cancer treatment after returning to public duties for first time since diagnosis - live
The monarch, 75, will ease back into public life after a three-month break for his cancer treatment
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King Charles made a return to public duties with a visit to a hospital and specialist cancer centre in London on Tuesday.
The King, alongside Queen Camilla, met doctors and patients during the visit in a bid to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and highlight innovative research taking place at the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre.
Both smiled broadly and waved to onlookers as they greeted staff including Baroness Neuberger, chairman of University London College Hospitals (UCLH), and David Probert, its chief executive.
It was the 75-year-old monarch’s first public engagement since his cancer diagnosis, and follows a statement issued by Buckingham Palace in which the King was said to be making positive progress in his treatment.
Charles was also announced as the new patron of Cancer Research UK taking over the patronage from his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth.
The public engagement also comes ahead of the planned return to the UK by Prince Harry for a ceremony to mark 10 years of the Invictus Games next week.
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King Charles plans to make raising awareness of cancer a top priority
King Charles intends to use his platform to raise awareness of “five Cs” on his return to work – including cancer.
The King, who announced that he had been diagnosed with the illness in February, is today (30 April) returning to work and his first port of call will be a cancer treatment centre.
There, he and the Queen Consort Camilla will meet with cancer patients and their families.
It is hoped that this will highlight the effect the disease has on families as well as sufferers.
The other chosen “C” causes the King is making a top priority are “climate, community, culture and [the] Commonwealth.”
King Charles determined to lead Trooping the Colour parade on horseback
King Charles is reportedly determined to lead the Trooping the Colour in June on horseback.
The parade, which will mark the monarch’s 76th birthday, is set to take place on Saturday, 15 June.
The monarch, who today (30 April) returns to duty after undergoing cancer treatment, is said to want to be seen to “lead from the front”.
However, while he has been declared well enough to return to duty following his cancer diagnosis and treatment, he still has the disease and precautions are being taken as a result.
According to official sources, “adaptations” are being made “where necessary” to minimize risk as he takes on a scaled-back summer programme of work.
His plan to ride at the parade on his horse Noble has not yet been approved by doctors.
The King was gifted Noble, a black mare, to celebrate his coronation last year.
Queen Camilla is in good spirits ahead of the King’s return to work
Queen Camilla was in good spirits yesterday (29 April) as she carried out her duties.
The Queen Consort hosted the Maiden yacht crew at Clarence House ahead of King Charles’s return to work to celebrate their win in the Ocean Globe Race.
The group made history by becoming the first female crew to win a round-the-world yacht race earlier this month.
It took them a staggering 153 days to complete the journey on 16 April, having first set off on the adventure of a lifetime in September.
The Queen will also be working today (30 April) when she joins the King at a cancer treatment centre to help raise awareness of the disease.
Prince William has a busy day of engagements
Prince William has a busy schedule today (30 April) and is set to champion the environment and men’s mental health.
His day will begin with a visit to an Earthshot Prize finalist firm, which produces low-carbon construction materials, in Seaham, County Durham.
This is one of the Prince’s first engagements since returning to work this month after the announcement of Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis in March.
The Prince will also champion the cause of male mental health by opening James’ Place Newcastle – a new treatment centre that offers free assistance to suicidal men.
The heir to the throne will be undertaking the engagements on the same day that King Charles returns to work after undergoing treatment for his own, undisclosed form of cancer.
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The Duchess of Edinburgh has received a warm welcome from the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Sophie yesterday (29 April) became the first member of the royal family to visit the wartorn country since its full-scale conflict with Russia began in February 2022.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement that the trip was to “demonstrate solidarity with the women, men and children impacted by the war”.
The Duchess is one of a handful of royals who have held the fort amid King Charles and the Princess of Wales’s respective cancer battles, which forced them to step back from their duties.
The King, however, is set to return to work today (30 April).
The King’s engagements will be carefully paced
King Charles is returning to public duties today (30 April) for the first time in three months.
The monarch, 75, was forced to take a step back after being diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer, as revealed in February.
Palace sources have now said that his upcoming work will be carefully paced so that the King, who still has the illness, does not over-exert himself.
A spokesperson said the “pacing” will be “carefully calibrated as his recovery continues, in close consultation with his medical team”.
He will today visit a cancer treatment centre with the Queen Consort to help raise awareness of the disease, which has also affected the Duchess of York and the Princess of Wales this year.
Return to work welcome for ‘workaholic’ King Charles
King Charles was described as a “workaholic” earlier this year ahead of news of his cancer diagnosis breaking.
Queen Consort Camilla allegedly told her husband that she wanted him to slow down at the time, concerned that he was doing too much for a 75-year-old.
The revelation was made as the King underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate in January.
An insider said: “The people who work for him are worried he is doing too much for a man of 75. It’s sometimes a struggle to keep up with him.”
According to reports, the Monarch previously filled his days to the point where he would not eat until 9pm.
That is why today (30 April) is a welcome relief for the King, who was reported to be frustrated after suspending public-facing duties after his cancer diagnosis.
Queen Camilla praised for knowing exactly ‘what is is right’
The Queen Consort has been praised for her understanding of King Charles and knowing what is “right” ahead of his return to work today (30 April).
She is set to accompany the Monarch on a visit to a cancer treatment centre to help raise awareness of the disease following news of his diagnosis in February.
Royal expert Angela Levin said: “I wrote her [Camilla’s] biography and she’s got this very strong instinct of knowing what is right at the right moment.
“She’s been there so solidly with the work and the engagements, when you saw the picture of their 19th wedding anniversary that came out yesterday, you can see that they are so interactive together.”
While the King was forced to take a step back from public-facing duties because of his illness, Queen Camilla has continued with her work – yesterday (29 April) celebrating the victory of an all-female yacht crew in a round-the-world race.
Privy Council ‘heartened’ by King Charles’s return to work
The Privy Council has released a statement celebrating King Charles’s return to work.
The Monarch is finally returning to public-facing duties today (30 April) after a three-month absence following his diagnosis with an undisclosed form of cancer.
In a statement posted to Twitter/X on 26 April, Lord President Penny Mordaunt said: “Like so many around the country, I am greatly heartened by news of the King’s improving health.
“He will have wanted to get back to public facing work as soon as possible.
“We in Parliament send our thanks and good wishes as he continues his recovery.”
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