King Charles is set to resume his public duties soon after being diagnosed with cancer, Buckingham Palace revealed Friday.
“His Majesty The King will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis,” the palace said in a brief statement.
The monarch, 75, who began outpatient treatment in February, has been forced to hit the brakes on much of his royal agenda to focus on his health.
And while he was “responding really well” to treatment, his health has reportedly significantly deteriorated in recent weeks, leaving him “very unwell” according to insiders.
Charles has also reportedly been left “frustrated” over the current face of the monarchy following the several health woes that have plagued the family in recent months.
Just one month after revealing his cancer diagnosis to the world, his daughter-in-law Kate Middleton revealed that she, too, is in the midst of her own battle with cancer.
As two senior members of the Firm undergo treatment for their respective diagnoses, the royal family was forced to undergo a major reshuffle.
The royal family’s serious health woes have come less than a year after the king’s coronation last May.
What’s more, the Palace has been keeping plans for Charles’s impending funeral regularly up to date, with multiple sources telling the Daily Beast the situation is “not good.”
“Of course he is determined to beat it and they are throwing everything at it. Everyone is staying optimistic, but he is really very unwell. More than they are letting on,” a source described as an old friend of the royal family told the outlet.
News of Charles’s diagnosis came to light in February after he underwent a procedure for an enlarged prostate. There, doctors discovered “a separate issue of concern” that requires treatment.
Buckingham Palace later clarified that the cancer was not prostate cancer.
Behind the scenes, however, King Charles’ aides are regularly reviewing copies of a several-hundred-page document outlining his royal funeral plans, dubbed “Operation Menai Bridge.”
The death plan is named for the suspension bridge that connects the island of Anglesey with the Welsh mainland.
“The plans have been dusted off and are actively being kept up to date. It’s no more than what you would expect given the king has been diagnosed with cancer. But the circulation of them has certainly focused minds,” a former staffer with links to the serving courtiers told the Daily Beast.
While he’s made an active effort to avoid commenting on speculation about his health, Charles did speak out about his own battle just days after going public with the news.
The king said that well wishes from the public are “the greatest comfort and encouragement.”