Queen Camilla Shares Update on King Charles III Amid His Cancer Battle

Queen Camilla spoke about how her husband King Charles III is doing amid his treatment for cancer, during a visit to Northern Ireland.

By Corinne Heller Mar 21, 2024 6:33 PMTags
Watch: Buckingham Palace Confirms King Charles Is Alive After Reports of His Death

Queen Camilla is sharing insight into King Charles III's ongoing health battle.

During a visit to Belfast, Northern Ireland, March 21, the 76-year-old shared how her husband is doing amid his treatment for cancer.

"He's doing very well," Camilla noted after being given a card during a stop at a deli, Hello! reported. "He was very disappointed he couldn't come."

After hearing a quip about men "not being the best patients," she added, "I try to keep him in order."

While Charles did not join Camilla on her visit, he has undertaken several royal duties at home since Buckingham Palace announced Feb. 5 that he had been diagnosed with cancer and had begun treatment. In their statement, they had said that while "he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties," he "will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual."

The same day of Camilla's visit, the King was photographed inside Buckingham Palace, meeting High Commissioner of Singapore Ng Teck Hean and High Commissioner for the United Republic of Tanzania Mbelwa Kairuki.

photos
King Charles III's Road to the Throne

Charles' return to occasional public engagements—like his meeting with Korean War veterans at the Palace March 19—comes just days after the Palace debunked rumors of the monarch's death.

Chris Jackson - Pool via Samir Hussein/WireImage

Charles has also relayed messages to the public amid his health battle.

Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images

Days after his cancer diagnosis was made public, he thanked supporters for their well-wishes, writing in a personal statement, "As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement."

Jonathan Brady- WPA Pool/Getty Images

More than once month later, in honor of Commonwealth Day, Charles recorded an address in which he reflected on his journey.

Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images

"Having recently celebrated my own 75th birthday, it warms my heart to reflect on the way the Commonwealth has been a constant throughout my own life—a precious source of strength, inspiration, and pride," he said in the March 11 speech. "In recent weeks, I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health, and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth."

Charles is not the only family member to postponed engagements due to health reasons. His daughter-in-law Kate Middleton has also stepped back from her public royal duties amid her recovery from abdominal surgery. Read on for more news about the royals from this year below:

Returning to Public Duties

On April 26, nearly three months after sharing his cancer diagnosis, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles will return to public-facing duties

Queen Camilla Attends Royal Maundy Service

The queen consort attended the Royal Maundy Service on March 28 in place of King Charles III, making her the first spouse of the Monarch to continue the ancient tradition.

Kate Middleton Shares Cancer Diagnosis

In a March 22 video message, the Princess of Wales shared that she'd been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery in January.

"It was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful," she said before noting that tests after the operation found cancer had been present. "My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment."

Kate Middleton Apologizes for Edited Family Photo Controversy

After photo agencies pulled the picture Kensington Palace shared of Kate since having her abdominal surgery on March 10, the Princess of Wales addressed claims the photo was doctored. 

"Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," she tweeted on March 11. "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C."

Lady Kitty Spencer Privately Welcomes Baby

Princess Diana's niece celebrated Mother's Day in the U.K. by sharing she and her husband Michael Lewis privately welcomed their first baby.

“It’s the joy of my life to be your mummy, little one. I love you unconditionally," she captioned her March 10 Instagram post. "Happy Mother’s Day to those who celebrate today."

Queen Camilla Takes a Break

After keeping up her full slate of engagements in the wake of her husband's cancer diagnosis, the palace cleared Camilla's schedule.

The Times pointed out March 2 that the 76-year-old didn't have any engagements on her calendar until March 11, when she'd be due at Westminster Abbey to observe Commonwealth Day.

Thomas Kensington Dies at 45

The husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor and ex-boyfriend of Pippa Middleton, was found dead Feb. 25. Days later, a coroner's inquest found that he died by suicide.

King Charles Diagnosed With Cancer

While King Charles III was in the hospital for his benign prostate enlargement procedure, the royal family member was diagnosed with cancer.

"His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties," Buckingham Palace said Feb. 5. "Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible."

Sarah Ferguson Is Diagnosed With a Second Type of Cancer

The Duchess of York's rep said in a statement on Jan. 21 that Sarah was recently diagnosed with malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. Several months prior, she underwent a single mastectomy to treat breast cancer.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark Abdicates the Throne

On Jan. 14, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark made history as she officially abdicated the throne, handing the crown over to her son, now known as King Frederik the 10th

Kate Middleton Is Hospitalized

Kensington Palace announced on Jan. 17 that Kate Middleton underwent planned abdominal surgery and was set to remain in the hospital for 10 to 14 days.

"Based on the current medical advice," the Palace said, "she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter."

Prince William Adjusting His Schedule

Amid Kate's recovery, Prince William postponed a number of engagements as he supported his family, including the couple's three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

King Charles III Undergoing Treatment

Shortly after Kate's hospitalization was made public, Buckingham Palace shared that Charles "has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate."

"His Majesty's condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure," the statement added. "The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation."

Luxembourg Welcomes a New Baby

Princess Claire and Prince Felix of Luxembourg welcomed son Balthazar Felix Karl on Jan. 7, the first royal baby of the New Year!

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App