Charles has stepped back from all public duties while he undergoes treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer,. Senior royals,including the Queen and the King’s eldest son,William,the Prince of Wales,will take on his duties at some events.
Queen Camilla hands her umbrella to an aide as she arrives to attend a musical evening at Salisbury Cathedral.AP
Asked how her husband was doing at an event at Salisbury Cathedral on Thursday evening (Friday AEDT),Camilla told Ben Abbott,40,from Wiltshire Air Ambulance:“He is doing extremely well under the circumstances. He is very touched by all of the letters and messages the public has been sending from everywhere. That’s very cheering.”
Camilla,76,had made a six-hour car journey to attend a charitable musical evening after bad weather grounded her planned helicopter flight. She had been staying in Sandringham,where Charles is recuperating after this week’s cancer treatment.
The palace on Monday said the King’s shock diagnosis was detected while he was undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate last month. Little is known about the treatment or type of cancer,but it has been confirmed it is not prostate cancer.
Although he will pause his public events,Charles will continue with his constitutional role as head of state,including paperwork and private meetings.
Queen Camilla takes a moment of reflection at The Salisbury font,designed by British water sculptor William Pye during a Musical Evening at Salisbury Cathedral to celebrate the work of local charities on February 8.AP
William,41,returned to royal duties this week after nearly a month while his wife,Catherine,the Princess of Wales,recovers from abdominal surgery.
He gave a speech at London’s Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner on Wednesday evening,quipping:“It’s fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather ‘medical’ focus. So I thought I’d come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all!”
“I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you,also,for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father,especially in recent days,” William said. “It means a great deal to us all.”
William will now spend next week’s half-term school holiday at home with his wife and children before returning for more events.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave Clarence House in London on Tuesday.PA
In its statement on Monday,the palace said the monarch remained “wholly positive” about his treatment and that he was hoping to return to his public duties as soon as possible.
Charles informed both his sons personally about his diagnosis. William,the next in line to the throne,was reported to be in regular contact with his father.
Prince Harry,who lives in the United States,spoke to his father for the first time in months and travelled to the UK to briefly meet with him at Clarence House on Tuesday. He returned home to California the following day.
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