King Charles has had a challenging year to put it mildly. The monarch received a cancer diagnosis early in 2024, as did his daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, who he adores. Over the course of the past 12 months or so, Charles has undergone treatment, and though there hasn’t been any confirmation that he has entered remission, things seem to be moving in the right direction.
Christmas is approaching, and the Royal Family will, just as every year, meet at Sandringham to celebrate together. At the same time, the messy situation regarding Prince Harry is likely at the back of the king’s mind, and so perhaps it is for the better that the estranged prince won’t be celebrating Christmas with the royals.
Needless to say, despite his treatment, Charles maintains a busy schedule of royal duties. Now, a royal expert has shared new insight into the monarch’s health, and it begs the question: is the king pushing himself too hard?
In early February, Charles received his cancer diagnosis. The last few months haven’t been easy, but Charles has widely been lauded for the decision he made in the wake of his diagnosis. The monarch, who is not obligated to reveal any private matters to the public, clearly wanted to share his diagnosis with the world.
“His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer,” a statement on February 5 read.
In short, Charles’ decision to reveal his cancer diagnosis may have saved lives. As reported by the Associated Press, Cancer Research UK recorded a 33% increase in visits to its website as people searched for information regarding the signs and symptoms of cancer.
“I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days,” Charles said in a statement some days after the first update on his health.
King Charles Cancer
“As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.”
The monarch added: “It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organisations which support cancer patients and their families across the UK and wider world.”
“My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience.”
Medical workers and royal fans praised Charles’s decision, but not everyone believed it to be a good idea. Queen Camilla initially didn’t want her husband to disclose that he had cancer at all, but Charles “overruled her.”
Charles cut down on all royal duties to focus on his recovery. Queen Camilla took on tremendous responsibility in her husband’s absence, and gained respect and admiration across the country for how she took on the job.
To date, not much has been publicized concerning the treatments Charles is receiving, but in October, one report gave a significant clue that things are going in the right direction. On October 18, Charles and Camilla traveled to Australia and Samoa, staying for more than a week.
King Charles ‘paused his cancer treatment’ for Australia trip
Royal expert Cameron Walker said at the time that the trip would require many adaptations in order for Charles to experience the visit.
“As we knew, doctors had given the King the green light to travel. It is going to be the first long-haul travel the King has done since his cancer diagnosis,” Walker told GB News before the trip.
“But it’s very clear from the information I’ve received this afternoon that adaptions have been made. For example, New Zealand originally was on the agenda for the King and Queen to travel to – that has now been ruled out on doctor’s advice.”
The royal expert added: “Because he’s been mindful that he’s undergoing cancer treatments, he’s also going to be spending some time at an engagement to do with melanoma and cancer treatment.”
The Australia-Samoa trip was a big test for Charles and his health. However, the Daily Mail reported that Charles paused his cancer treatment during the state visits. The newspaper suggested that he was to continue with his ongoing cancer schedule right up until takeoff but that his doctors were “happy for it to be briefly stopped while he is away.”
Now, Charles and Camilla are back on UK soil. The couple have continued their royal engagements throughout the country, and before long, Christmas will be here. As in virtually all the years in recent memory, the Royal Family will spend the festive season at their estate of Sandringham. Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, will all be there. This year, it appears that even Camilla’s son, Andrew Parker Bowles, could make a guest appearance.
King Charles & Queen Camilla “keeping things quiet” to preserve their health for Christmas
While Buckingham Palace doesn’t want to comment on King Charles’ health, a source told the Daily Beast that the king and queen want to keep things “quiet” to “preserve their health in the run-up to Christmas.” Just weeks ago, Camilla contracted pneumonia, and she is said to still not be fully recovered.
“His vulnerabilities are well-known but her pneumonia has been a nasty reminder of hers. I think everyone is relieved he didn’t want to go off to Paris and stand in the cold for hours on end. They are very sensibly just keeping things quiet to preserve their health in the run-up to Christmas,” the source told the Daily Beast.
Like millions of families worldwide, Christmas is always a special time of the year when mothers, fathers, grandchildren, grandfathers, grandmothers, uncles, and aunts get to meet and spend quality time with each other. However, as we all know, the Royal Family has seen two of its members leave its ranks, prompting quite the feud.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relationship with the Royal Family today lies in tatters, and sadly, King Charles and his son aren’t on speaking terms at all. According to royal commentator Emily Andrews, Charles reacts harshly whenever an aide approaches him with a phone to inform him that Harry is on the line.
“Now, even his own father is not taking his calls. I’m told that when courtiers bring the phone to the King (Charles doesn’t have his own mobile phone) he waves them away in irritation,” she told the Mirror.
King Charles didn’t invite Harry for Christmas because he “‘cant’t deal’ with the drama
The king is said not to even respond to Harry’s letters, and while the feud has been ongoing for years, one would imagine Christmas might be an ideal time to put all those differences aside and make amends.
So, will Harry and Meghan be at Sandringham for Christmas? According to Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, Charles didn’t even invite the estranged prince and his wife. It was simply “too much.”
“No, I’m not a bit surprised they weren’t invited,” Seward told Fox. “I think the general feeling is that it would’ve just created an unwarranted atmosphere, and Christmas isn’t about that. Christmas is about everybody being happy and getting on with each other. And… I just think that King Charles just couldn’t deal with the [drama].”
“He’s exhausted by his year,” she continued. “He’s exhausted by his cancer, and he’s a workaholic, so he doesn’t really rest up. And the thought of having Harry and Meghan was probably a bit much. He thought it would be a bit much over this period.”
A People Magazine source also claimed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex weren’t invited to this year’s royal Christmas at the big estate. The US news outlet even claimed that Harry and Meghan hadn’t spent Christmas with the Royals since they married in 2018.
Royal expert worried that King Charles is ‘pusing himself too hard’
Sadly, for King Charles, not inviting Harry and Meghan also comes with heartbreak. He has barely seen his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, which has taken its toll on him.
“It doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to see his grandchildren,” Ingrid Seward said. “I think he’s desperate to see his grandchildren. But Harry won’t come here unless he has this, that, and the other. And he wants an armed escort, and he’s making too many demands. And I completely understand. [But] Charles [is saying], ‘Look, I’m just not going to ask them this yet.’”
Charles will undoubtedly look forward to a calmer 2025, and to be honest, the idea that next year could be any more challenging than the year that has passed is inconceivable.
Meanwhile, Charles continues to perform many of his royal duties even though his cancer treatment is still ongoing. Speaking with GB News, royal expert Duncan Larcome claimed it could backfire, as Charles may be pushing himself too hard.
“He has kept going, and you get the impression he’s been doing as much as he physically can. I wonder if his doctors might privately be a bit annoyed that he hasn’t rested as much as he could have,” he said.
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