HEALTH BATTLE
King Charles ‘frustrated’ cancer treatment taking ‘longer than he would want it to’, Peter Phillips reveals
The news comes as well-wishers left flowers at Windsor Castle for Kate over the weekend
KING Charles is “frustrated” that his recovery from cancer treatment is taking longer than “he would want it to", Peter Phillips has revealed.
The son of the Princess Anne said the monarch was “in good spirits”, but was “pushing” his staff to be able to return to his duties after beginning "pioneering" treatment last month.
5
5
5
Mr Phillips, whose sister Zara is a former Olympian equestrian, told Sky News Australia: "I think ultimately he's hugely frustrated.
"He's frustrated that he can't get on and do everything that he wants to be able to do.
"But he is very pragmatic, he understands that there's a period of time that he really needs to focus on himself.
"But at the same time he is always pushing his staff and everybody - his doctors and nurses - to be able to say 'actually can I do this, can I do that?'"
Read More in Royals
Charles has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February after he was treated for an enlarged prostate.
The Palace has not confirmed the type of cancer, but it is understood not to be the prostate.
It comes after bombshell news on Friday that the Princess of Wales was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
Peter added: "I think the overriding message would be that he's obviously very keen to get back to a form of normality and is probably frustrated that recovery is taking a little longer than probably he would want it to."
Most read in Royals
The son of Anne and her first husband Captain Mark Phillips, said during the interview on Australian television that his mother "leaves others to worry about column inches".
Peter said: "I think in the past she has not always been the media's favourite so to speak. But she's never really let that bother her.
"She just keeps her head down the whole time and keeps working away and leaves others to worry about column inches."
The eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II added that it was "pretty remarkable" that his mother was still carrying out overseas trips in her 70s.
King Charles looks stoic as he heads out after Princess Kate is seen on video for first time since surgery
Meanwhile, Peter said the "work ethic" of his parents had been hugely influential for him and his sister Zara Tindall.
He is currently visiting Australia as a patron of the charity ISPS Handa.
The Princess of Wales, 42, revealed her health battle to the world in a touching video in which she vowed she was “going to be OK”.
And it was revealed that Kate met the King on Thursday for a heart-to-heart at Windsor Castle, where it is understood she told him about her speech.
Charles has rallied around his "beloved" daughter-in-law during her ordeal as someone who can understand what she's going through.
After Kate’s cancer statement, Buckingham Palace said: “His Majesty is so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did.
“Following their time in hospital together, His Majesty has remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks.
Why Charles bravely shared his cancer diagnosis
KING Charles has bravely broken with royal protocol by sharing his cancer diagnosis.
Senior royals have in past been tight-lipped about their health battles.
The last top royal diagnosed with cancer was Charles’s grandfather George VI.
Heavy smoker George had his left lung removed for “structural abnormalities” in September 1951, months before he died.
The “abnormalities” were actually a life-threatening carcinoma, but the public never learned about George’s cancer ordeal.
Buckingham Palace said Charles wanted to share his cancer diagnosis to boost “public understanding” for cancer patients worldwide.
It is understood Charles had been made aware of Kate’s cancer struggle before he travelled from London for the lunch.
Doting husband Prince William has been by her side throughout - taking a step back from his royal duties and pulling out of engagements last minute.
Queen Camilla is also said to be a pillar of support and in regular contact with Kate.
Camilla has been Charles' "rock" following his diagnosis and wants to be as supportive for Kate.
KING'S REST
The King has spent most of his weekdays at Windsor Castle but has regularly gone to London to carry out official royal duties at Buckingham Palace.
He left Windsor Castle at 11am on Friday to rest for the weekend at his Highgrove House residence in Gloucestershire.
The Queen has been filling in at major engagements including a visit to Northern Ireland last week.
While there she told well-wishers her husband is “doing very well” and “very disappointed he couldn’t come”, for what was originally intended to be a joint visit.
Meanwhile Kate has been recuperating at Adelaide Cottage, Windsor, with William, 41, and their children.
They will not attend the family Easter Sunday service which is expected to be held at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
However, it is understood the King is hoping to lead the family to the ceremony at Easter.
The Queen, 76, is also hoping to join her husband for the service which is expected to be a scaled-down affair with only a handful of royals attending.
Inside Charles' 18-month reign before cancer shock
September 8 2022 - The world was left in mourning after Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022.
September 19 2022 - The stoic King led his family, marching behind the Queen's coffin from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey, at her funeral.
January 2023 - The Monarch deals with the fall out following Prince Harry's bombshell memoir Spare - in which the Duke blasted the Royal Family.
April 2023 - Harry has a "heart-to-heart" talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London
May 6 2023 - Charles is crowned King at his Coronation at Westminster Abbey.
September 2023 - Harry rejects an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queen’s death at Balmoral with his father.
November 2023 - The King celebrates his 75th birthday with a gathering of close family and friends at Clarence House.
January 17 2024 - Buckingham Palace announces His Majesty will be undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Just hours previous it was also revealed Princess Kate had been admitted to hospital for a pre-planned abdominal surgery.
January 26 2024 - The King is admitted to The London Clinic - where Princess Kate was also staying.
January 29 2024 - Charles waves as he leaves the hospital following a three day stay and being given the all clear.
It is understood the Monarch will take a month to recover after the surgery as Queen Camilla stands in during public appearances.
February 5 2024 - Buckingham Palace announces a form of cancer was diagnosed during the King's prostate op.
The statement confirms Charles has begun a schedule of regular treatments and "remains wholly positive".
He will also be postponing front line duties on doctor's advice but continue with his red boxes, weekly audiences with the Prime Minister, and monthly Privy Council meetings.
February 6 2024 - Prince Harry flies to the UK to be with his father as royal experts claim their four-year rift could be put aside.
The Duke of Sussex, who was informed of the news personally by the Monarch, was seen arriving into a private terminal at LAX in his black Range Rover.
She stood in for Charles and William at a service of thanksgiving for the life of King Constantine II of Greece at the chapel in February.
Kate and William have now pleaded for privacy as they spend time together during their children’s school holidays.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Kate’s statement on Friday was issued to coincide with all three children finishing school term.
They are due back at Lambrook School, Berkshire, on April 17 and William will not return to work until then.
5
5
Topics