King Charles remains ‘wholly positive’ about cancer treatment – as he apologises for postponing engagements
The King remains “wholly positive” about his treatment for cancer and “looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible”, Buckingham Palace has said.
However, the monarch, 75, will have to postpone or rearrange forthcoming public engagements following the diagnosis, according to the palace.
“His Majesty would like to apologise to all those who may be disappointed or inconvenienced as a consequence,” a statement released on behalf of the King said.
Follow latest: King chose to share diagnosis to ‘prevent speculation’
The King has begun a schedule of regular treatments and is said to be receiving expert medical care from a specialist team.
His diagnosis, announced on Monday, means it is unlikely he will attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on 11 March.
The Queen will continue to attend to a full programme of public duties.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave after attending a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. Pic: PA
Meanwhile, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is understood to be travelling to the UK from his home in the US in the coming days to visit his father.
Other members of the Royal Family, including Prince William, the Prince of Wales, may take on some extra duties on behalf of the King during his treatment.
However, it is understood that these duties will not relate to the King’s constitutional role, and the monarch will continue to receive and review important documents in red boxes used by the monarch and government ministers.
It is understood that the King will continue to have weekly audiences with the prime minister while undergoing treatment, though these may be held remotely should medics advise him to reduce in-person contact.
He is also expected to remain available for meetings of the Privy Council, which usually meets once a month.
There has been no word yet, however, on upcoming overseas visits, with the King and Queen set to travel abroad for state events in the coming months.
They are due to travel to Canada in May, and then to Australia, New Zealand and Samoa in October for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Read more from Sky News:
The palace’s statement in full
Prince Harry to visit King
King’s health issues over the years
Royal historian and author, Kate Williams, told Sky News the diagnosis would be “difficult” for the King.
“Charles is often one of the most hard-working royals with many engagements, many activities, many charities,” she said.
“I think it is obviously going to be hard for him, because he won’t be able to do this, and we don’t know for how long.”
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It comes after it was announced the King had been diagnosed with a “form of cancer”, which came to light while the monarch was in hospital for treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Though the palace did not elaborate on the type of cancer, they said it was not prostate cancer and described it as a “second condition”.
Prince Harry (pictured here with the King in 2015) is due to see his father in the coming days. Pic: AP
A palace spokesperson said: “His Majesty has been treated for benign prostate enlargement.
“It was during this intervention that the separate issue of concern was noted and subsequently diagnosed as a form of cancer.
“This second condition will now receive appropriate treatment.”
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What next for the King?
The King is said to have shared “his diagnosis to prevent speculation” and “in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer”.
The King travelled from Sandringham in Norfolk to London on Monday to start treatment as an outpatient. He spent the evening at home in London, most likely in Clarence House.
News of the King’s diagnosis comes after his daughter-in-law Kate, Princess of Wales, underwent abdominal surgery during a hospital stay of around two weeks.
Last month, Sarah, Duchess of York, the former wife of the King’s brother, Prince Andrew, announced she had been diagnosed with skin cancer, just six months after being treated for breast cancer.
UK
Family of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe pay tribute to ‘beautiful soul’ as teen appears in court charged with murder
The family of a nine-year-old girl stabbed to death have said she was a “beautiful soul” who was brave, kind-hearted and “always put a smile on people’s faces”.
Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, just before 6.10pm on Monday, where Aria Thorpe had suffered a single stab wound.
The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a tribute released by Avon and Somerset Police on Friday, the girl’s family on her mother’s side said: “For those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing Aria, she was the most beautiful little soul – happy-go-lucky, full of light, and joy.
“She loved to sing and dance, and she took such pride in dressing up, always wanting to look just like her mummy.”
Tom Thorpe, the girl’s father, said: “It’s hard to put into words how devastating it is, our little Aria, that you’re up there with the angels looking over us.”
It comes as a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared in court.
Pic: Avon and Somerset Police
Aria was a ‘precious girl’
In their statement, Aria’s family on her mother’s side said her death “has devastated us beyond words”.
“Our hearts are broken in a way we never imagined possible,” they added.
“As a family, we are holding one another close and doing everything we can to support each other through this unimaginable time.”
They said they were “truly touched by the lovely messages we have received”, before asking “that our privacy is respected, as we try to come to terms with the terrible loss of our precious girl”.
Flowers laid in memory of the young girl
‘Wacky ways and outright madness’
Mr Thorpe said: “How sad it’s going to be not hearing ‘Dad, how long left?’ on our long journeys back and forth at weekends.
He then said that Aria was “such a brave, kind-hearted and a beautiful innocent soul”, and “always put a smile on people’s faces with your wacky ways and just outright madness”.
Mr Thorpe added: “Your other little family down here in Portsmouth will forever miss you.
“We’ll miss you begging to go outside, even in the pouring rain just to have as much fun as possible in the little time we had at weekends.
“You will be greatly missed, you special little angel. A life gone far too early but I hope a life lived well. We all love you dearly. Goodnight darling.”
Teenager in court
Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, where he was remanded.
The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, was arrested in the Somerset village of Worle at 6.19pm on Monday.
He is next due in court on 16 March 2026. Appearing via video link from youth detention accommodation, he spoke only to confirm his name.
Judge Peter Blair KC set a provisional trial date for 15 June during the hearing.
A teenager charged with the murder of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe will stand trial in June next year.
The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.
The defendant, who appeared via video link from youth detention accommodation, spoke only to confirm his name.
During a brief hearing, Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, set a provisional trial date for 15 June 2026.
The trial is expected to last two weeks.
Avon and Somerset Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare just before 6.10pm on Monday, where nine-year-old Aria had suffered a single stab wound.
Flowers laid in memory of the young girl
The boy was arrested in nearby Worle a short time later.
His father was among those attending in the public gallery.
The teenager is next expected to appear in court on 16 March.
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