King Charles to visit cancer centre in public return
King Charles marked the first anniversary of his coronation with a social media video. Photo: AAP
The King will visit a cancer treatment centre in his return to public duties after he was diagnosed with the disease in February.
Buckingham Palace announced on Friday that doctors were sufficiently pleased with the 75-year-old King’s response to treatment for the unspecified form of cancer that he would be able to resume some public-facing engagements.
The first will be Tuesday’s visit to a cancer treatment centre to meet patients and medical specialists.
The palace has also announced the King and Queen will host a state visit by the Japanese Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako in late June.
The King’s health issues began in January when it was revealed that he would be admitted to hospital to have a corrective procedure for a benign enlarged prostate.
The following month, the palace said tests had uncovered the presence of a “form of cancer”, but gave no further details beyond saying it did not involve his prostate.
The King has rested and been treated for the disease since then, continuing with official state duties in private. He was well enough to greet well-wishers after an Easter church service at the end of March.
Although his diary will be carefully managed to minimise any risks to his health, the palace said the monarch might attend some annual events such as the Trooping the Colour military parade in June, as well as commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings, also in June.
The King’s illness came less than 18 months after he succeeded his mother Queen Elizabeth. His nephew Peter Phillips has said the monarch, who is renowned for hard work, had found the limitation imposed by his treatment frustrating.
Also absent has been the King’s daughter-in-law Kate, wife of his son and heir Prince William. She is having preventative chemotherapy after tests following major abdominal surgery revealed cancer had been present.