King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Princess of Wales have attended a reception marking the 125th anniversary of Cancer Research UK. The event, hosted by the King at London's St James's Palace on Tuesday evening, brought together researchers, clinicians, volunteers, and partners involved in the charity's efforts in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Royal Patronage and Personal Connections
Charles, who serves as patron of Cancer Research UK, led the proceedings. The Princess of Wales, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024 and underwent chemotherapy, revealed she was in remission 16 months ago in January 2025. Her attendance was announced by Kensington Palace on Tuesday morning. The King, who continues to receive treatment for his own undisclosed cancer, previously expressed pride in Kate's courage in speaking publicly about her diagnosis.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester also attended the evening reception, with the Duke serving as a joint president of the charity.
Immersive Installations and Technological Innovation
The reception featured immersive installations showcasing the charity's work and visual representations of how technological innovation is transforming cancer research. These displays highlighted breakthroughs in understanding, preventing, detecting, and treating the disease.
Historical Context and Recent Statistics
Cancer Research UK's work traces back to its predecessor organisations: the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (founded in 1902) and the Cancer Research Campaign (founded in 1923). The charity continues to drive progress against cancer.
Recent NHS England statistics revealed that one government target for cancer care remains unmet. In March, 72.8% of patients began their first definitive treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or consultant upgrade, up from 68.6% in February but below the 75% target. However, 79.4% of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days, exceeding the 75% target.
The Princess of Wales recently returned to international travel, carrying out her first overseas royal visit since her cancer diagnosis. She travelled to Reggio Emilia, near Bologna in Italy, for a solo working trip focused on her early years work.
