King Charles III’s health has become a growing concern among friends and palace insiders as he battles an undisclosed type of cancer. According to Tom Sykes from the Daily Beast, when inquiring about the King’s health, the response from friends has been consistently grim, noting, “It’s not good.”
Amid this health crisis, a close friend of the monarch revealed, “He is determined to beat it and they are throwing everything at it,” but also admitted that Charles is “really very unwell. More than they are letting on.” shared by Sky News.
Tina Brown, a royal commentator, also touched on the situation, pointing out the serious implications of Charles’ illness on the immediate line of succession. She wrote that Prince William and Kate Middleton are now “in frightening proximity to ascending the throne just when they had hoped for a span of years to parent their children out of the public eye.” The thought of ascending sooner than expected is reportedly causing the couple “intense anxiety.”
The gravity of King Charles’ health issues has led to a review of “Operation Menai Bridge,” the codename for the King’s funeral plans. This comes alongside assessments of what went well and what could be improved from Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in September 2022, as per reports from the Daily Beast.
An ex-staffer mentioned that while reviewing royal funeral plans is standard practice, there is a new sense of urgency given Charles’ diagnosis. “The plans have been dusted off and are actively being kept up to date,” they said. This shift has noticeably “focused minds” within the royal staff.
Buckingham Palace confirmed earlier this year that Charles, now 75, was diagnosed with cancer following surgery for a benign prostate issue. The Palace noted he would undergo “regular treatment” and was advised to reduce his public engagements. Despite his health, King Charles made a public appearance two months later during Easter services, coinciding with what would have been his late mother’s 98th birthday. He was seen driving himself and Queen Camilla to the service, engaging briefly with the public.
King Charles ascended to the throne after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who had a historic reign of 70 years, passed away. His coronation was held in May, marking a new chapter for the British monarchy amid challenging circumstances. The royal family has yet to respond to recent inquiries about the situation.
