Standing looked moved King Charles I, I, I. with Queen Camilla and her daughter-in-law Kate as “God Save the King” was sung at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London. The memorial event honoring those who served in the world wars is one of many events in recent weeks that the king has held for his people. Of course this is no longer the case.
Today the king celebrates his 77th birthday. Almost two years ago, the palace announced that Charles was suffering from cancer. The last few months, with the initial rapprochement with his rejected son Harry, and then the scandal surrounding his younger brother Andrew, will require additional energy.
It is still unknown what type of cancer Charles suffered from, but it was not prostate cancer. A subordinate clause has been established in the British media: The king, “who is still being treated for cancer”, is still being treated for cancer. Concerns about the health of Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest son do exist, but are rarely expressed openly.
Hospital admissions are hot news
Surprise announcements from the Palace are a constant reminder that the head of state is ill. When Charles had to be taken to hospital last March, the British news world came to a standstill. Is this something serious? Who knows more? Charles was treated for the side effects of his therapy. The next day, photos were shared showing Charles waving in the car.
A cancer diagnosis was “terrifying and sometimes scary,” Charles said this year. He describes himself as one of the “statistics” among the 390,000 people living in… United Kingdom received a cancer diagnosis. However, Charles did not allow himself to be restricted in his royal work
He “won’t slow down and won’t do what he’s told,” reported Queen Camilla, 78, shortly after he was hospitalized in March. Her husband is “doing fine.” Rough and sometimes long trips abroad followed – the royal couple visited the Vatican twice this year and made a state visit to Canada.
Official reports regarding the course of the disease are rare. But the British tabloid media still couldn’t hold back. When he emigrated to America Prince Harry (41) last spoke about his desire to reconcile with his father, he also allowed himself to say: “Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father will live.” And there was speculation about the king’s health: was there a death threat?
The most important thing for Charles is that he can truly accept Harry in September. The two met at the Clarence House residence in London. Only the two of them can judge whether it is truly a rapprochement. For now, Harry was still further away from his father than his brother.
Close relationship with heir to the throne William
A cancer diagnosis for Charles and a while later Princess Kate (43), like the ground being pulled out from under your feet, said heir to the throne Prince William (43). His wife had to undergo chemotherapy because of the disease. In January this year, he announced that he was relieved to be in remission. “I’m very proud of my wife and dad for how they handled it over the last year,” William said.
This 43 year old man maintains a very close relationship with his father. Unless something unexpected happens, William sat on the British throne far longer than Charles, who became king at the age of 73. “Charles’ reign is seen as an evolution rather than a revolution,” wrote the PA news agency. The king continues the role of his mother, who died in 2022, who dedicated her life to the country.
In the list of the “most popular” royals, the most popular members of the royal family, updated by pollster YouGov every three months, Charles came in fourth place – behind Kate, William and his sister, Princess Anne (75). The king’s decision to strip his younger brother Andrew (65) of all his titles and honors for his role in the scandal of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was well received by Britain.
Andrew’s apparent distance, coupled with the words Charles and Camilla said to convey their deepest condolences to all victims of abuse, would have been almost impossible in the British royal family just a few years ago. As Charles and Kate openly faced cancer in early 2024.
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