Queen Camilla says staying silent on King Charles' cancer was difficult

Queen Camilla has revealed she knew about King Charles III's cancer diagnosis before its public announcement. Her remarks highlight the strain of secrecy and the wider impact of his openness on cancer support.

In Short

• The Queen wanted to speak earlier during a London hospital centre opening
• Maggie's has supported patients through counselling and information at 27 UK hospitals
• Recent palace updates suggest the King's treatment is progressing in positive direction

Queen Camilla has said she knew about King Charles III's cancer diagnosis days before it was made public and found it hard to stay silent about it. In a video released to mark the 30th anniversary of the cancer charity Maggie's, she said she had wanted to speak about the diagnosis earlier but knew it was not the right time.

Charles announced on February 5, 2024, that he was being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer, in a break from the royal family's usual practice of keeping health matters private. His openness about the diagnosis has been credited with encouraging more men to get tested for prostate cancer and other forms of the disease.

Camilla said she was "longing" to talk about Charles' diagnosis when she opened a Maggie's cancer support centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London a week before the public announcement. She has been president of Maggie's, which runs cancer centres at 27 hospitals across the UK, since 2008.

"Nobody could say anything at that time. That was quite difficult," Camilla said in the eight-minute video, which is based on a conversation with Maggie's chief executive Laura Lee. "I almost said something but, you know, I felt that it wasn't the time to say."

Recent updates on the king's condition have said his health is moving in a positive direction as he continues to receive cancer treatment. Laura Lee said the number of men visiting Maggie's centres has risen by 12 per cent since the king announced his diagnosis.

Maggie's offers information, counselling and other support to help people with cancer deal with fear and continue living while undergoing treatment. Camilla said Charles' diagnosis helped her better understand the need for such services, adding, "Look at my husband, nothing stopped him. He just said, ' This is my way. I'm going to cope with it.'"

The queen's remarks offered a personal account of the days before the king's diagnosis was announced, while also drawing attention to the support Maggie's provides and the wider response to Charles speaking publicly about his illness.

With PTI Inputs

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