What Queen Camilla ‘Feared’ About King Charles’ Cancer Diagnosis That She Thought Should Have Remained Private
King Charles shared some good news about his health recently, following speculation about how the monarch has been doing since announcing his cancer diagnosis in early 2024.
The king first revealed the news to the public after undergoing a routine procedure at a hospital in February 2024. At that time, Buckingham Palace released a statement: “During the king’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer. His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments … Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.”
Many applauded King Charles’ decision to go public with his diagnosis. But his wife, Queen Camilla, was not happy about him doing so. She thought the news should have remained private. Here’s more on that, and what the king just said in his most recent health update.
Why Queen Camilla didn’t want King Charles to go public with his cancer diagnosis
While undergoing treatment, King Charles continued most of his public duties and attended engagements. But there were questions about his health and how he was responding to treatments whenever he did pull out of an event. That is exactly what Queen Camilla reportedly feared and why she didn’t want her husband to share the news with the world.
According to The Times, the queen was not happy that the king made his cancer diagnosis public knowledge.
“It can now be revealed that when the king learnt he had cancer nearly two years ago, his wife initially believed his diagnosis should remain private, as she feared the toll public scrutiny of his health might take on his recovery,” the publication reported. “Her hesitancy stemmed from a concern for her husband’s privacy, fearing that ‘once the door on it had been opened, it could never be closed.’”
The Times added that Queen Camilla came to understand that King Charles made the decision because he wanted to raise awareness for others and promote cancer screenings, noting, “Charles was determined from the outset to pursue ‘openness and transparency,’ and Camilla has taken comfort in how buoyed her husband has been by the public response to his candour about his illness.”
King Charles’ message about cancer and his own treatment
As this year winds down, King Charles chose to reveal another piece of news to the public about his treatment.
“Indeed, 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,” the monarch said during a TV appearance on Dec. 12.
He continued, “This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years; testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the 50 percent of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives.”
