What to Know
King Charles first revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, and since then, he’s been undergoing treatment while still fulfilling as many of his duties as king as possible. It hasn’t been often that he speaks about his diagnosis publicly, but this week, he made an exception.
During a TV appearance in honor of Stand Up to Cancer that aired over the weekend, Charles shared an update on his cancer treatment, and it seems like a very optimistic one.
Charles shared the change in his treatment plan in the coming year.
While Charles can’t say that he’s in remission the way his daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, was able to do earlier this year, it sounds like his condition has certainly improved.
“Today I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders’, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the new year,” Charles told the audience, adding, “This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care — testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the fifty percent of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives.”
Buckingham Palace confirmed to the BBC that Charles has “responded exceptionally well to treatment,” which will now be moving into a “precautionary phase.”
He emphasized the importance of early detection.
“I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Yet I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams,” Charles continued. “Your life, or the life of someone you love, may depend upon it.”
There’s a reason Charles hasn’t shared the specific type of cancer he was diagnosed with.
According to what Buckingham Palace said in a statement to multiple outlets including People, Charles isn’t just keeping the details of his disease a mystery for his own privacy.
“The advice from cancer experts is that, in his determination to support the whole cancer community, it is preferable that His Majesty does not address his own specific condition but rather speaks to those affected by all forms of the disease,” the statement said.
It’s good to hear that things are improving for King Charles — especially after all of the drama the royals have faced this year, including the (former) Prince Andrew scandal. It seems like he really needs this win.
