The King has expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the well wishes that have flooded in since his cancer diagnosis was announced.
In a statement from Sandringham House, where he’s been recovering from his first round of treatment, His Majesty has expressed his thanks for the messages of support and good wishes he has received.
“All those who have been affected by cancer will know such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.”
He 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 life-long admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience.”
Charles, 75, who is expected to have further treatment as an outpatient in London this month, appeared to be in good spirits as he walked with Queen Camilla to St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate, several days after the news broke about his illness. A crowd of about 100 people had gathered to wish him all the best and many noted that he looked well.
“He waved to everyone and looked better than I thought he would,” said one.
Although he won’t be carrying out any public engagements for the time being, a palace source says he has been well enough to attend a limited number of face-to-face meetings. He has also been reading through his red boxes full of parliamentary documents every day.
A friend says Charles, who is well-known for being a workaholic, will find the boredom that results from enforced rest hard to deal with. They expect that when he’s not working, and if his health is good enough, he will enjoy his favourite pastimes – walking and painting.
Meanwhile, in between supporting her husband, Camilla, 76, is continuing to carry out her engagements, and at a charity musical evening at a church in Salisbury, she told members of the congregation that her husband was very “touched” by the “cheering” messages of support he had been receiving from all around the world. When asked how he was, the Queen replied, “He’s doing very well under the circumstances.”
A break for Kate
The Princess of Wales, was well enough to travel from her home near Windsor Castle to Anmer Hall, the house she and husband Prince William have at Sandringham, to continue her convalescence following abdominal surgery for an undisclosed health issue.
Kate, 42, made the three-hour car trip to Anmer Hall in Norfolk 12 days after being discharged from hospital. Before that, she had spent 13 days recovering in The London Clinic from the operation, which will see her out of action until Easter.
She and William were accompanied by their three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, who are on their half-term break.
A palace insider says the couple wanted to take their kids away for the holiday and have been trying to keep things as normal as possible for the youngsters.
“Kate was looking forward to a change of scene and to be able to take it easy in Norfolk while the children let off steam with William,” the source adds.
Meanwhile, William, 41, was full of praise for the care his wife received in hospital. At an investiture he carried out – his first engagement upon returning to work after taking time off to look after Kate and the kids – he told MBE recipient Patricia Spruce that the two nurses looking after her were “amazing and kind”.
Captain Kat steps up
The King has appointed the first-ever female equerry to serve a monarch. Captain Kat Anderson, 33, will help to oversee the running of his diary, while joining him on official engagements in the UK and overseas.
Kat is an army officer with the Royal Artillery, who has previously worked for UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as an aide-de-campe. She has also been an assistant private secretary for national security advisors at Number 10 Downing Street.
Although it’s the first time a female equerry has been appointed to serve a king, Charles previously had a female equerry when he was the Prince of Wales.
