How the Royal Family rallied around Charles after his cancer diagnosis
Members of the royal family were quick to support Charles in different ways
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The royal family rallied around the King in February after it was revealed he had been diagnosed with an unknown form of cancer.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement at the time that the monarch was receiving regular treatments for the condition, which was discovered after the 75-year-old underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Officials said that although Charles would be stepping back from public-facing events, although he would continue to “undertake state business and official paperwork as usual”.
A Palace source told The Telegraph that Charles was a “little frustrated” by the impact the diagnosis had on royal plans but was otherwise he is “in his usual good form”.
Charles called both Prince Harry and Prince William, as well as his siblings the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Duke of Edinburgh, to personally give them the news before it was publicly announced.
Follow the latest news on King Charles with our live blog by clicking here
Since the diagnosis went public, here are the different ways members of the royal family have shown up to support Charles:
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry cleared his diary and rushed back to the UK from his home in America to spend time with his father despite the rift between them.
The Duke of Sussex was seen arriving at a private terminal at Los Angeles in the morning before touching down at London’s Heathrow Airport following the annoucement and was pictured again in London the following afternoon.
It was understood that Meghan remained at the couple’s home with their children Archie and Lilibet.
Queen Camilla
Queen Camilla has continued with a full programme of public duties while her husband undergoes treatment.
She was seen walking side by side with the King at his last public appearance last month, where the King waved to onlookers as he walked to church on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Camilla has been a great support to Charles throughout his recent health battles. She visited the London Clinic several times over his stay in the private hospital when he underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Princess Royal
Princess Anne attended the first royal engagement since the revelation shortly after the diagnosis announcement.
Known for her commitment to royal duties, Princess Anne also went to an investiture ceremony. She was also scheduled to visit the Midlands on that Tuesday on an official visit, but the event was cancelled.
Recipients at the ceremony included conductor Ivor Bolton, tenor Nicky Spence, rugby union referee Sara Cox and wheelchair rugby league player James Simpson.
Prince William and Princess Kate
The Prince of Wales has shouldered some of Charles’ responsibilities but has been a loving presence alongside the Prince of Wales as she fights her own cancer battle.
Prince Edward
Prince Edward returned to royal duties to support his brother. Edward’s last public engagement was an overseas trip that finished on 26 January. The Duke of Edinburgh and his wife Sophie, both 59, are part of Charles’s slimmed-down working monarchy, introduced after his mother passed away last year.
Princess Beatrice
The King’s niece was also seen visiting him the morning after the diagnosis was made public.
Princess Beatrice was seen driving a Ranger Rover into the back entrance of Clarence House in London on theTuesday morning of the announcement. She and her husband Edoardo Mozzi live next door to the King’s official royal residence at St James’s Palace.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments