King Charles To Resume Public Duties For The First Time Since Cancer Announcement
By Favour Adegoke on April 26, 2024 at 12:45 PM EDT
Updated on April 26, 2024 at 1:52 PM EDT
King Charles III has announced his intention to return to his public duties next week.
This comes after reports claimed that Charles' health condition had his family concerned as he battles an undisclosed form of cancer.
Buckingham Palace was also said to be reviewing the monarch's funeral plans, codenamed "Operation Menai Bridge."
King Charles Is Set To Resume His Public Duties Amid Cancer Treatment
Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles will be resuming his public duties next week amid his cancer treatment.
A statement from the palace read, "His Majesty The King will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis."
It continued, "To help mark this milestone, The King and Queen will make a joint visit to a cancer treatment center next Tuesday, where they will meet medical specialists and patients."
The palace further noted: "His Majesty's medical team are very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about the king's continued recovery. Forthcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary to minimize any risks to His Majesty's continued recovery."
According to UsWeekly, a palace spokesperson added, "The pacing of the King's program will be carefully calibrated as his recovery continues, in close consultation with his medical team."
King Charles' Cancer Battle Is Reportedly Worrying The Royal Family
The encouraging news about Charles's health condition comes after it was alleged that his family and friends are concerned about him as he receives treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer.
According to Tom Sykes of the DailyBeast, most of the king's friends have had nothing good to say about his health in the past few weeks.
Sykes shared that one friend claimed that Charles "is determined to beat it and they are throwing everything at it." He added, "Everyone is staying optimistic, but he is really very unwell. More than they are letting on."
Tina Brown, a Royal Scribe, also spoke to People magazine about Charles's health issues, sharing that his cancer battle has put Prince William and Kate Middleton on edge.
They have realized that they are "in frightening proximity to ascending the throne just when they had hoped for a span of years to parent their children out of the public eye." She added, "The prospect of it, I am told, is causing them intense anxiety."
The Monarch's Funeral Plans Are Being Reviewed
Sykes also revealed that Buckingham Palace is currently reviewing Charles' funeral plans.
The plans are reportedly codenamed "Operation Menai Bridge." There is allegedly a separate document analyzing Queen Elizabeth's funeral in September 2022 and noting what could be improved for the next monarch's funeral.
According to Sykes, sources explained that The Office always reviews royal funeral plans. However, one former Royal staff member shared that the nature of Charles's health and cancer battle has created a greater urgency to review his plans.
The former staff said, "The plans have been dusted off and are actively being kept up to date. It's no more than what you would, expect given the king has been diagnosed with cancer. But the circulation of them has certainly focused minds."
King Charles' Cancer Was Discovered In February
Charles's cancer was officially announced in February after he had surgery for a benign prostate enlargement.
A statement released by the palace shared that Charles is receiving "regular treatment" and has received doctors' advice to "postpone public-facing duties."
Shortly after the statement, Charles sent out a message thanking the public for all the care and well wishes. Two months later, the king made his first public appearance amid the cancer treatment for the Royal Family Easter service.
The King Has A Busy Summer Coming Up
According to reports, Charles has a busy summer coming up, with events like Trooping the Colour and the Royal Ascot. These events will signal his official return to royal duties, but if his doctors see that the king is recovering well before then, he may be allowed to resume work earlier.
A Royal source said, "At the moment, HRH is doing very well and responding very well to treatment. He is very keen to get back to public-facing duties before June if he can. He is doing well but is frustrated more than anything else that he has had to take time off. He is being a good patient but not always a patient one."
They added, "He is determined to be at Trooping and at Royal Ascot if not every day then for at least one hopefully two days. He is also looking forward to the palace garden parties."