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.
In pictures: Prince Edward visits Osel Enterprises
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh takes a tour of Osel Enterprises, Wight Crystal Bottling Plant in Newport.
How King Charles and Kate have supported each other through cancer treatment
As both the King and the Princess of Wales faced cancer diagnoses this year, the close relationship between Charles and his “beloved daughter-in-law” has become increasingly apparent.
Charles and Kate were both diagnosed with undisclosed forms of cancer earlier this year following overlapping stays at a private hospital in London in January.
The King revealed his diagnosis to the nation in early February while Kate followed suit six weeks later following massive amounts of online speculation as she stayed out of the public eye.
How King Charles and Kate have supported eachother through cancer treatment
King Charles and the Princess of Wales were both diagnosed with undisclosed forms of cancer earlier this year
King Charles: What kind of cancer treatment is available to him - and what impact could it have
As the news breaks of King Charles’ return to public-facing royal duties following his cancer treatment, a palace spokesperson said the King’s medical team were “very encouraged by his progress”.
Our health correspondent Rebecca Thomas explains the different types of cancer treatment:
King Charles: What kind of cancer treatment is available to him
Some cancer treatments can last 3 to 6 months or up to weeks in the case of radiotherapy
King reassures public ‘I’m well’ as he meets with fellow cancer sufferers in return to public duties
The King has reassured the public “I’m well” as he met with fellow cancer sufferers in his return to public-facing duties for the first time since he announced his diagnosis.
Charles also candidly described the shock of the moment he received his positive test when he and the Queen met patients and doctors at the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre on Tuesday.
In his first public engagement since he disclosed he had the disease three months ago, the monarch was raising awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and to highlight innovative research taking place at the London-based medical institution.
King reassures public ‘I’m well’ as he returns to duties after cancer diagnosis
Charles also spoke candidly of ‘shock’ at diagnosis as he was joined by Camilla for first public engagement since he disclosed he had the disease in early February
In pictures: King of Lesotho visits Charles at Buckingham Palace
King Charles III during an audience with Letsie III the King of Lesotho at Buckingham Palace, London.
How King Charles’s T-Rex tie ‘gifted by Prince Louis’ told the story of his public return
King Charles shared a sign that he had a real “spring in his step” on his return to public duty yesterday.
The King, 75, subtly let royal fans know that he is feeling good by wearing a pink T-rex tie – reportedly a gift from one of his grandchildren – on his visit to a cancer treatment centre in London.
According to commentators, it is likely a gift from Prince Louis, six, who reportedly has a penchant for dinosaurs.
Read more here:
How King Charles’s t-rex tie told the story of his public return
The tie is reported to be a gift from dinosaur-loving Louis
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, becomes first royal to visit Ukraine since Russian invasion
The Duchess of Edinburgh has become the first member of the royal family to visit Ukraine since Russia’s invasion, meeting president Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife in Kyiv.
Sophie, 59, made the surprise visit on behalf of the Foreign Office to show solidarity with those impacted by the war and as part of her work to champion survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
The duchess champions the work of Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the Women, Peace and Security agenda. She took on the role in 2019, on International Women’s Day.
Sophie becomes first member of royal family to visit Ukraine since war
Sophie met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife, first lady Olena Zelenska, to support survivors of sexual violence
King speaks candidly about cancer diagnosis ‘shock’ with fellow patients
The King spoke of his “shock” at being diagnosed with cancer as he met fellow patients on his return to public-facing duties on Tuesday.
Charles candidly described the experience of being told he had the disease when he visited University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in central London, to learn about the latest treatments and chat to staff providing the pioneering care.
He also reassured those who asked about the state of his health, saying: “I’m well.”
David Probert, chief executive of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who hosted the visit, said: “His Majesty was full of great energy, he engaged with us really positively and as always was incredibly enthusiastic.”
The King, who looked relaxed and in good spirits, was joined on the visit by the Queen, and went on impromptu walkabouts, meeting staff who had stopped to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.
Charles sympathised with cancer patient Lesley Woodbridge as she underwent chemotherapy alongside many others in a day unit, telling the 63-year-old: “It’s always a bit of a shock, isn’t it, when they tell you?”
He added: “I’ve got to have my treatment this afternoon as well.”
King Charles cancer diagnosis: The history of illnesses in the Royal Family
In February, King Charles shared he had been diagnosed with cancer following treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.
The Royal Family did not specify the form of cancer but he is still undergoing regular treatment and has postponed public duties.
Here is a look back at the history of health issues in the Royal Family:
History of illnesses in the Royal Family after King Charles’ cancer diagnosis
As King Charles undergoes treatment for cancer, here is a look back at other health conditions in the Royal Family
Inside King Charles’ rigid diet and strict exercise routine – and why he doesn’t eat lunch
In the decades spent waiting to ascend to the throne, King Charles has always ensured he maintained a strict diet and rigid daily exercise routine.
The 75-year-old monarch was diagnosed with a form of cancer in February, after a check up last month found an unrelated, enlarged prostate that proved to be benign.
While he stepped away temporarily from public-facing duties, he has lived an impressively healthy life up to now - barring several injuries from a lengthy polo career and two coronavirus infections during the pandemic.
In a list of 70 facts released by Clarence House in 2018 to mark the then-Prince Charles’ 70th birthday, it was revealed that he restricts himself to only two meals a day.
Read more here:
Inside King Charles’ strict diet and exercise routine – and why he doesn’t eat lunch
King Charles is known to maintain a healthy, sometimes meat-free diet
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