The past two years have been a tricky one for the King, following his and the Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnoses in quick succession. In January we were able to celebrate the news that Catherine is in remission, having completed her course of treatment in September, and while the King is not out of the woods yet, a reduction in his schedule confirms the Palace message that his treatment is heading in a positive direction.
Indeed, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson clarified: “His Majesty has responded exceptionally well to treatment and his doctors advise that ongoing measures will now move into a precautionary phase. This position will be continuously monitored and reviewed to protect and prioritise his continued recovery.”
His message was also a reminder that the King is determined to use his privileged position for good, and aims to reach out directly to the 9 million people in the UK who Cancer Research UK says are not up to date with NHS screening schemes.
Charles is determined to focus on the good that has come from his diagnosis, that he has helped improve public understanding of cancer, destigmatise the treatment journey and encourage conversations about difficult topics.