Loyal Queen Camilla is expected to step up on her royal engagements and support her husband following the King’s cancer diagnosis.
Camilla has been the most senior member of the Royal Family carrying out engagements and it is understood that all will continue with a full programme of public engagements whilst the King takes some time off.
Queen Camilla and Prince William are two senior royals who are expected to take on more royal duties if necessary – though Prince William had recently scaled back to care for his wife Princess Kate following her abdominal surgery.
Camilla has had a busy week, carrying out various royal engagements while her husband recovered at home after leaving the London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales was also in recovery.
Mother-of-three Kate, 41, is taking time to recover from planned abdominal surgery earlier this month and is not expected to return to royal duties until after Easter.
As a result, Prince William also postponed his royal duties for a short time to be there for Kate and their three children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five.
With three working royals out of action, Queen Camilla has led the royal charge as the most senior royal currently carrying out engagements.
King Charles and Queen Camilla wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace
Queen Camilla visiting a cancer support centre in London on January 31
Queen Camilla at a royal engagement in Cambridge on February 2
Queen Camilla at a royal engagement in Bath on February 1
Buckingham Palace announced in a statement this evening that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer.
They said that the 75-year-old monarch has returned to London from Sandringham to begin treatment immediately.
It is not connected with his recent surgery and is not prostate cancer, but medics spotted it when he underwent his medical procedure for an enlarged prostate.
Queen Camilla had since continued to undertake public engagements, telling members of the public that her husband was ‘doing fine’ and looking forwards to getting back to work.
Last Tuesday she told well-wishers he was ‘getting on’ and ‘doing his best’, adding: ‘Thank goodness!’
Her schedule has been packed since undertaking additional engagements.
Last Friday on February 2, Camilla carried out a royal engagement at the newly opened Meadows Community Centre in Cambridge. She smiled and waved to fans as they lined the streets to see her,
A day earlier, Queen Camilla attended the 850th anniversary of the St John’s Foundation and a Service of Celebration at Bath Abbey.
On the Tuesday, she hosted a reception at Windsor Castle for authors, illustrators and binders who have been involved in the new Miniature Library collection displayed alongside Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House.
Queen Camilla speaks to guests during a reception at Windsor Castle on January 30
Queen Camilla meeting residents of St John’s Foundation in Bath on February 1
Queen Camilla meets frontline staff on a visit to Refuge’s Gaia Centre in Lambeth, south London, on January 23
Camilla views a selection of carriage clocks during a visit to Deacon & Son, one of the oldest family businesses in Swindon on January 22
Queen Camilla receives get well cards for her husband King Charles in Wiltshire on January 22
Queen Camilla opens the new ‘Safe Space’ during a visit to Aberdeen Art Gallery on January 18
Queen Camilla alongside King Charles as they leave The London Clinic on January 29
King Charles and Queen Camilla looked in high spirits as they walked to St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate
Buckingham Palace said in a statement tonight: ‘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, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. 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.
‘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.’
Following his diagnosis other senior members of the Royal Family including Queen Camilla and heir to the throne Prince William are expected to take on more royal duties if necessary.
Prince William had originally scaled back his royal duties to look after Princess Kate whilst she recovers from her abdominal surgery.
Buckingham Palace has said that the King is pleased that being open about his recent prostate surgery has helped boost awareness.
While the Palace has said that the King has not been diagnosed with prostate cancer, NHS England said they saw a surge in visits to their prostate enlargement pages following the King’s visit to The London Clinic earlier this year.
The King’s diagnosis will pose serious questions for the working of the monarchy, with fewer working members of the royal family and the Princess of Wales out of action due to what has only been described as ‘abdominal surgery’ until after Easter.
The Prince of Wales, who is heir to the throne, had cleared his diary to be by his wife’s side and keep life as normal as possible for their three children.
Kensington Palace announced earlier today, however, that he would resume public duties this week by conducting an investiture on Wednesday at Windsor Castle, followed by a gala fundraising event for the London Air Ambulance in the evening.