In recent months, the royal family has been quietly grappling with a concerning reality: the deteriorating health of King Charles. His ongoing battle with cancer, despite Buckingham Palace’s efforts to downplay the severity of his illness, has become a matter of public concern. Reports from insiders suggest that preparations are already underway for a possible shift in the monarchy.
During his summer break at Balmoral, several decisions made by the King have fueled rumors about his declining health, causing concern for Princess Catherine and Prince William. Recently, the Constitution Unit at UCL, the country’s most reliable source on such matters, published a Q&A outlining potential scenarios. These range from Prince William taking on more duties to a full Regency.
At the most recent investitures, the Prince looked noticeably thinner and more careworn than usual. As a military band played the national anthem, he blinked rapidly, his brow furrowed, over the strains of "God Save the King." The tune is so familiar, yet the word "King" still feels new to the nation. However, I would disagree with the idea of William stepping in for his father. If the Prince of Wales had replaced the King, it would have either set off alarm bells about the King's health or attracted criticism. Moments of national crisis and tragedy are precisely when the Monarch is expected to stand firm and lead.
Despite his health issues, King Charles continues to fulfill his scheduled public engagements under the watchful eye of his doctors. He does not appear frail when meeting those who have greeted him over the past several months. If courtiers are unhappy with Charles’s pace, they should spare a thought for Camilla, who has not hidden her frustration with her husband. Yesterday, during her visit to the Dyson Cancer Center in Bath, she was asked how her husband is doing. The Queen replied, “Yes, he’s doing very well.” At another event, she mentioned that Charles was getting better, before good-naturedly adding, “Well, he would be if he behaved himself.”
Two months ago, at a bookish event, Her Majesty told bestseller Lee Child that the King is "doing fine but won’t slow down and won’t do what he’s told." For the past seven months, the 75-year-old King has been receiving treatment for an unspecified form of cancer. However, it’s not all rest and relaxation for Charles. A source noted, “He’s not one to sit around doing nothing, so relaxing for him involves reading, writing, painting, and gardening. He’s always loved throwing on Wellies and getting out in the garden—it’s his happy place.” This paints the picture of a contemplative Renaissance man, but this period of relative calm is likely to be short-lived, as those around him are already worrying about his workload in the coming months.
Though he’s a relatively new King, about to mark two years on the throne, Charles is also a man nearing 80, battling a serious illness, and about to undertake a grueling multi-week tour of international statecraft. Speculation about his health has been compounded by the fact that he has not reduced his schedule despite the rigorous demands of his treatment.
New details from well-connected insiders reveal that King Charles is not residing at the 167-room Balmoral Castle as many would expect. Instead, he and Queen Camilla are staying at their private home on the estate, Birkhall, where they spent much of the pandemic. This move has heightened concerns among royal watchers about the King’s well-being, especially given reports that he’s sleeping a lot and appears visibly unwell. While the Palace has been tight-lipped about the specifics of his illness, the lack of official updates has only fueled public concern and media speculation.
As King Charles fights his personal battle with cancer, the future of the British monarchy hangs in the balance. The royal family’s summer at Balmoral has underscored the gravity of the situation. The Waleses and the rest of the royal family are bracing themselves for whatever lies ahead. The nation watches with bated breath, hoping for the King’s recovery while also preparing for the possibility of change at the highest levels of the monarchy.
