Queen Camilla has spoken about the emotional toll of keeping King Charles III's cancer diagnosis a secret in the initial stages of his treatment. In a video message for Maggie's cancer charity, of which she is president, Camilla described the difficulty of attending an event with cancer patients and their families shortly after learning about her husband's condition.
During an official engagement in January 2024 at a new Maggie's cancer support centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London, Queen Camilla had recently been informed that the King had cancer and required treatment. However, she was unable to disclose this information publicly until the official announcement was made.
"Nobody could say anything at the time, that was quite difficult," Queen Camilla told Dame Laura Lee, the chief executive of Maggie's. "I almost said something but, you know, I felt that it wasn't the time to say."
The King's cancer diagnosis was publicly revealed on February 5, 2024, just days after the Queen's visit to the hospital. More than two years into his treatment, Buckingham Palace has stated that the King's health continues to improve.
In the seven-minute film, recorded at Clarence House, Queen Camilla also spoke about the King's approach to coping with his illness, emphasizing his determination to continue with official duties. She mentioned her role in supporting her "poor husband," quoting him as saying, "Nothing stopped him. He just said, 'This is my way. I'm going to cope with it.'"
Reflecting on her hospital visit, Queen Camilla described a heightened awareness of the experiences of the families she met. "I was almost questioning them. I didn't want to pry too deeply. But normally when I went in, I was just talking to them, but I don't know, I felt it was much more deep," she said. "I looked at everybody who was suffering and all the relations and I think it made me realise even more how important these places were."
The specific type of cancer King Charles has not been disclosed. His public announcement of his diagnosis has reportedly led to a 12% increase in men contacting Maggie's with a cancer diagnosis. Dame Laura noted that the King's openness has encouraged others to speak out and highlighted the importance of support for family and friends.
Maggie's operates 27 centers across the United Kingdom, located on the grounds of major NHS cancer hospitals, providing support to hundreds of thousands of individuals annually.