Queen Camilla has opened up about the 'emotional' impact of keeping King Charles' cancer diagnosis under wraps, speaking publicly for the first time about the period before the news was announced.
During Wednesday's (August 19) episode of BBC Breakfast, presenters Roger Johnson and Sally Nugent shared the update with viewers. Roger revealed that the Queen had spoken about the difficult experience of keeping the diagnosis secret, ahead of Buckingham Palace's public announcement.
Speaking on the show, Roger said: “Queen Camilla has spoken for the first time about the difficult and emotional experience of keeping the King’s cancer diagnosis secret before it was announced to the rest of the public.”
Royal video for Maggie's anniversary
Buckingham Palace released a video featuring Camilla to mark the 30th anniversary of cancer charity Maggie's. The announcement was followed by a report from BBC senior royal correspondent Daniela Relph, who provided more detail on Camilla's comments and the significance of the royal video.
Camilla's remarks offer an insight into the period surrounding King Charles' cancer diagnosis, which was initially kept private before Buckingham Palace publicly announced the news in February 2024. The King subsequently stepped back from some public duties while undergoing treatment.
Queen's 'difficult' secret
In the video, Camilla recalled how "difficult" it was to avoid discussing her husband's treatment while on an official engagement with cancer patients and their families. She told the chief executive of Maggie's, Dame Laura Lee: "Nobody could say anything at the time, that was quite difficult. I almost said something but, you know, I felt that it wasn't the time to say."
Dame Laura referred to how personally challenging the hospital visit must have been, saying: "It was just a week before it became public and the courage that must have taken for you." The Queen replied: "I was just longing to let it out, but obviously I couldn't."
King's ongoing treatment
More than two years later, the King is still receiving cancer treatment. Buckingham Palace has reiterated that his health continues to move in a "positive direction".
In the seven-minute film recorded at Clarence House, the Queen says the King's way of coping has always been to push on with official duties. She described helping to look after her husband, adding: "Nothing stopped him. He just said, 'This is my way. I'm going to cope with it.'"
