King Charles has made his first public-facing engagement since his cancer diagnosis, visiting the University College Hospital's Macmillan Cancer Centre in London. Accompanied by Queen Camilla, he spoke with patients and staff, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis.
During the visit, the 75-year-old monarch sympathised with patients, telling Lesley Woodbridge, 63, who was receiving chemotherapy: "It's always a bit of a shock isn't it, when they tell you." He added: "I've got to have my treatment this afternoon as well." When asked about his health, he assured another patient, "I'm all right, thank you very much, not too bad."
The King's treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, announced in February, is continuing. Buckingham Palace confirmed on Friday that doctors were sufficiently encouraged by his progress to allow him to resume some public duties. Aides said he was keen to use his first engagement to raise awareness about early diagnosis and to demonstrate that it is possible to work with cancer.
Before the visit, it was announced that the King had been named a new patron of Cancer Research UK. He is also a longstanding patron of Macmillan Cancer Support, whose chief executive, Gemma Peters, noted a surge in website visits and a 75% increase in volunteer applications since the King's diagnosis.
