London — Buckingham Palace announced on Friday that Britain's King Charles III will be resuming public duties next week, marking his return to official engagements for the first time since his cancer diagnosis nearly three months ago.
According to a statement from the palace, Charles is set to resume his public-facing responsibilities following a period of treatment and recovery. The palace indicated that the king's medical team is optimistic about his progress but did not provide specific details.
Accompanied by Queen Camilla, Charles will be visiting an undisclosed cancer center on Tuesday to meet with medical experts and patients.
Since his cancer diagnosis in February, Charles, aged 75, has been focusing on private engagements. The cancer was discovered after he was hospitalized for an enlarged prostate, although the palace clarified that he does not have prostate cancer.
The palace announced on Friday that the king's "treatment program will continue" and that "doctors are pleased with the progress made so far." While it is too early to determine the duration of the king's medical treatment, the medical team remains optimistic about his ongoing recovery.
Although Charles is resuming his duties, the palace clarified that it will not be a full summer program and will be subject to medical advice. The statement mentioned that Charles is eager to resume some public-facing duties and expressed gratitude to his medical team for their care and expertise.
The king's unexpected diagnosis has marked a challenging time for the British royals. Princess Kate revealed last month that she is undergoing cancer treatment, adding to the family's concerns. The uncertainty surrounding Kate's health and whereabouts was heightened by a manipulated photo posted by her team.
Kate, aged 42, is undergoing preventive chemotherapy, but both she and Charles have chosen not to disclose specific details about their cancer type or prognosis.
With the recent loss of Queen Elizabeth II and the absence of key figures like Prince Harry, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Andrew, the royal family is navigating a period of transition and adjustment.
In contrast to Kate, who has not been seen in an official capacity since late December, Charles reappeared in public at the Easter Sunday service in Windsor last month. He warmly greeted well-wishers in the crowd, acknowledging their resilience in braving the cold weather.
However, Charles has reportedly expressed frustration with the prolonged duration of his recovery, as mentioned by his nephew, Peter Phillips.
While Charles has been commended for disclosing his cancer diagnosis, a level of openness not seen in previous royal figures, questions have been raised about the decision to withhold details about the specific type of cancer. Some medical experts have questioned the practicality of encouraging people to seek medical attention without providing information on the particular form of cancer.
Charles' prompt diagnosis and treatment have shed light on the challenges facing the National Health Service (NHS), a publicly funded institution that has historically been a point of pride for Britons due to its universal access. Budget cuts have strained the NHS, leading to longer wait times and lower cancer survival rates compared to other countries.