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Queen Camilla has revealed how difficult it was to keep King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis private while carrying out her public duties.
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The King’s cancer diagnosis was publicly revealed on February 5, 2024, days after Camilla visited a cancer support centre while privately aware of his condition.
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Camilla said she was “just longing to let it out” but knew she could not speak about the diagnosis before the official announcement.
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She also reflected on how Charles handled his diagnosis and how the experience gave her a deeper understanding of cancer patients and their families.
August 19, (THEWILL) — Queen Camilla has opened up about the emotional challenge of keeping King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis private before it was publicly announced.
The Queen shared the experience during a conversation with Dame Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie’s, a UK charity that provides free cancer support to patients and their families, to mark the organisation’s 30th anniversary.
Camilla recalled her January 31, 2024 visit to the Royal Free Hospital in London, where she officially opened the new Maggie’s centre.
At the time, she already knew that Charles had been diagnosed with cancer, but the news had not yet been made public.
“Nobody could say anything at the time. That was quite difficult”, Camilla said.
She admitted that she came close to speaking about her husband’s condition but knew it was not the right time.
“I almost said something but, you know, I felt that it wasn’t the time to say.”
The King’s diagnosis was eventually announced by Buckingham Palace on February 5, 2024, just days after Camilla’s visit.
The Queen said she had been eager to share what she knew but had to keep the information to herself.
“I was just longing to let it out, but obviously I couldn’t”, she said.
Knowing about Charles’ diagnosis also changed the way Camilla viewed the people she met during her visit to the cancer centre.
She said she found herself connecting with patients and their families on a deeper level because she was now experiencing the fears that many relatives of cancer patients face.
“I looked at everybody who was suffering and all the relations and I think it made me realise even more how important these places were”, she said.
Camilla also described the personal impact of suddenly having a loved one receiving cancer treatment.
“It had never really come back to roost at home, and suddenly your husband is diagnosed, and you think, goodness, and I’m the one with some relation who’s got to help look after my poor husband and try to understand it all”, she said.
She explained that the experience made her more aware of the support needed not only by people living with cancer but also by their families.
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Camilla also spoke about how Charles responded to his diagnosis, saying he remained focused on carrying on with his responsibilities.
“Nothing stopped him. He just said, ‘This is my way. I’m going to cope with it,’” she said.
Charles returned to public-facing duties in April 2024 after beginning treatment and has continued to take part in royal engagements.
The King has not publicly disclosed the specific type of cancer he has.
Maggie’s has also highlighted the importance of supporting relatives and loved ones of people living with cancer. The charity recorded more than 327,000 visits from people with cancer and their loved ones across its centres and online services in 2024.
Camilla has served as president of Maggie’s since 2008 and has continued to support its work with people affected by cancer.
Her latest comments offer a more personal look at a period when she was supporting her husband privately while continuing to meet patients and families publicly affected by cancer.
Evi-Ben Ezaga is an entertainment and society writer with a passion for stories that explore culture, people, and the stories shaping society today.
