Buckingham Palace Shares Update on King Charles III’s Cancer Treatments
As King Charles III continues his cancer journey, his treatment is “moving in a positive direction,” a Buckingham Palace source told NBC News Dec. 20.
King Charles III’s health is on the upswing.
Amid the British monarch’s ongoing cancer battle, his treatment is “moving in a positive direction,” a Buckingham Palace source told NBC News Dec. 20.
While the update is good news for the 76-year-old, the source also noted that his cancer is a “managed condition,” and therefore his “treatment cycle will continue into next year.”
As Charles—who ascended to the throne in September 2022 after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II—continues to battle the disease, his wife, Queen Camilla, also recently shared a positive update on his health journey.
During a visit to the Dyson Cancer Center at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, England in September, the queen consort—who married Charles in 2005—was asked by Suzy Moon of Macmillan Cancer Support about the king’s health status. Camilla, 77, responded, per the Mirror, “He is doing very well.”
Buckingham Palace disclosed Charles’ cancer diagnosis in February—though they did not say what kind of cancer—and announced that he would take a step back from public duties to begin his treatment. He re-emerged in late April to resume his work, making a poignant trip to the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in London accompanied by Camilla.
Of course, Charles isn’t the only member of the royal family fighting the disease. The palace announced Kate Middleton had also been diagnosed with cancer in March, after a photo editing controversy sparked conspiracy theories about her well-being.
Fortunately, the Princess of Wales—whose husband, Prince William, is heir to the British throne—has also shown signs of improvement. In November, William had good news to share about her condition.
“She’s doing really well,” he told Sky News during a trip to South Africa, adding that his wife has “been amazing this whole year.”
Keep reading for more recent updates from the royal family
Charles’ cancer treatment ‘moving in a positive direction,’ Buckingham Palace says
King Charles III’s cancer treatment is “moving in a positive direction,” a Buckingham Palace source told NBC News on Friday, almost a year after he was diagnosed with the disease.
The source emphasized that while progress has been made, his cancer remains in a “managed condition,” meaning that his “treatment cycle will continue into next year.”
Charles was just 18 months into his reign when Buckingham Palace confirmed his cancer diagnosis in February. The statement explained that the 76-year-old chose to share his health status partly “in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.”
Further details of his condition have not been disclosed.
He resumed public duties as king in April after making progress in his treatment.
Charles was the United Kingdom’s longest-serving heir to the throne during his time as Prince of Wales. He became king Sept. 8, 2022, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
In January, Kate, the Princess of Wales, was hospitalized for almost two weeks to undergo abdominal surgery for unspecified reasons. While initial tests did not indicate cancer, further testing revealed “cancer had been present,” she said in a taped video statement.
The rare video statement marked the first public acknowledgment of her health struggles, breaking her silence as widespread speculation mounted.
Prince William said 2024 has been “brutal” as his wife and his father both announced their cancer diagnoses.
“It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life,” William told NBC News’ international partner, Sky News, last month.
In September, Kate said she had completed chemotherapy treatment and would return to a light schedule of public engagements through the rest of the year.
Charles wife, Queen Camilla, 77, missed last month’s Remembrance events because of a chest infection, adding to the uncertainty about the health of the royal family.
