When it comes to his health, Charles is no ordinary King

He eats organic food, has never smoked and follows a strict exercise regime – our health-conscious King is committed to staying in peak condition and will be cheered by the longevity of his parents, says Hugo Vickers

The King and Queen departing The London Clinic last week (PA)

A mere two years ago, the headlines on 6 February 2022 heralded the remarkable achievement of the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II – 70 years on the throne. We saw her cutting a cake at Sandringham, and she tidied up one of the last serious issues of her reign – asking that, when the time came, Charles’s wife should be the Queen Consort.

In 1952, 6 February marked the death of King George VI. He had died peacefully at Sandringham in the early hours of that day.

Seventy-two years on, the news about King Charles and his cancer diagnosis has, therefore, come as a considerable shock to the nation.