King Charles III’s reign has been marked by personal challenges, including the profound loss of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022 and his cancer diagnosis in early 2024.
Despite these difficulties, he has continued to carry out royal duties while undergoing treatment, which is expected to continue into 2025. While his planned state visits to the Holy See and Italy in April 2025 signal progress, some experts caution that significant obstacles remain for the Palace.
In February 2024, Charles publicly revealed his cancer diagnosis in an effort to raise awareness. He expressed his gratitude, stating: “I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days.”
He continued: “As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.”
Charles also reflected on the broader impact of sharing his diagnosis: “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 organizations 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.”
Though the exact type of cancer has not been disclosed, sources report that his treatment has been progressing positively. Laura Lee, CEO of the cancer support charity Maggie’s, emphasized that cancer treatment often extends over long periods.
She told Sky News: “It’s very common for treatment to be ongoing for very long periods of time, as is the treatment that the Princess of Wales went through, which is an intense period of treatment over a year, and then it comes to a point where it’s on an end, and she’s on that recovery from some of the impacts of her treatment…”
In April 2025, Charles will embark on his first overseas visit as King, traveling to the Holy See and Italy alongside Queen Camilla. The visit includes a meeting with Pope Francis to mark the Catholic Holy Year, with the Palace highlighting that the trip will serve to “celebrate the strong bilateral relationship” between the two nations.
Former Palace butler Grant Harrold spoke to Geo News, commending the careful planning behind the trip.
“I think also he’s getting on a little bit, obviously he’s a little bit older. I mean when his mother became Queen and she was undertaking state visits, obviously she was a lot younger. I think because of obviously his age and his recent health and everything, they’ve probably just kind of been sensible about how they plan these kind of things…”
Harrold continued:
“I just think they’re probably just planning it carefully and trying to make the most of his time while he’s overseas… I’m not too sure exactly how long he’s there for. But again, these kinds of things, when they get planned, they make the most of it.”
He also noted that Charles appeared to be “doing really well” and remained “very positive” despite the challenges of his treatment.
However, royal expert Daniela Elser expressed concerns about the situation. In a report from News.com.au, she suggested that while Charles seemed to be in good spirits at a church appearance in late January, Buckingham Palace was facing an unprecedented challenge—managing the monarchy under an aging king undergoing cancer treatment.
She wrote: “The King might have been all smiles at church in late January, but Buckingham Palace is today facing down a previously unheard of, never-considered royal scenario – how to keep Crown Inc going in the time of an aging, cancer-battling monarch who is increasingly rattling around the Palace, stranded and with fewer than ever people to call on.”
Elser also pointed out that as Charles continues to age and undergo treatment, he has a shrinking number of working royals to depend on for support and delegation.