King Charles III Announces Return to ‘Public-Facing Duties’ After Cancer Diagnosis
Over two months after King Charles III revealed he had been diagnosed with a still-unspecified form of cancer, the monarch has announced he will return to “public-facing duties” in the coming weeks.
Outside of a few public appearances — including greeting well-wishers outside of an Easter Sunday church service last month — King Charles III had taken a step back from royal duties as he received treatment for cancer, during which he “continued to undertake state business and official paperwork as usual.”
However, on Friday, Buckingham Palace shared the news that “His Majesty The King will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis.”
“To help mark this milestone, The King and Queen will make a joint visit to a cancer treatment centre next Tuesday, where they will meet medical specialists and patients. This visit will be the first in a number of external engagements His Majesty will undertake in the weeks ahead,” the royal family’s website proclaimed.
“In addition, The King and Queen will host Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan for a State Visit in June, at the request of HM Government.”
Perhaps not-so-coincidentally, news of King Charles III’s return to royal duties comes just a day after reports surfaced that the British officials were updating a lengthy document code-named “Operation Menai Bridge” that detailed the King’s funeral plans upon his death. Additionally, the Daily Beast cited friends of King Charles III who said of his condition, “It’s not good.”
(King Charles III has not disclosed what “form of cancer” he has; although the cancer was discovered while he underwent treatment for “benign prostate enlargement,” Buckingham Palace has stated it is not prostate cancer.)
The royal statement Friday continued, “As the first anniversary of The Coronation approaches, Their Majesties remain deeply grateful for the many kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world throughout the joys and challenges of the past year.”
The King’s daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, also recently announced her own cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy amid the ever-growing rumors surrounding her after stepping back from public appearances and royal duties.
