HIS 'ROCK'
Doting Camilla to play important role in ‘supporting’ King Charles through cancer battle as he postpones public duties
Queen Camilla has been keen to stress the King is managing well
DEVOTED Queen Camilla will play an "important role" supporting the King as he undergoes cancer treatment.
Camilla urged workaholic King Charles, 75, to slow down before he was hospitalised for an operation on an enlarged prostate last month.
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The King has now been diagnosed with cancer after a "separate issue" was detected by docs in that operation, it was revealed last night.
The Sun understands the Queen, who has been described as the King's "rock", is preparing to play an important role in supporting her husband throughout his period of treatment while continuing with a full programme of public duties.
A source told the Mirror: "She doesn’t want to let anyone down.
"She never complains, she just gets on with it."
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted.
"Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer."
Yesterday, the King wore a sombre expression as he waved to crowds while walking alongside his wife at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.
The couple have stayed in Norfolk since the King left hospital on Monday.
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He underwent the "corrective procedure" at the London Clinic just off Harley Street last month.
And the Queen, 76, was a constant by his side as she visited three times in 24 hours the day after his operation.
At the time she was keen to stress to onlookers that the King was "fine".
Ahead of the surgery, Buckingham Palace said the monarch would be treated for an "enlarged prostate".
The Sun's Royal Photographer Arthur Edwards is keeping positive about King Charles' cancer diagnosis
And Camilla had reassured royal well-wishers the King was "fine" and "looking forward to getting back to work".
A spokesperson added that Charles would pause royal duties while he recovers.
He smiled and waved by his wife's side as he left the London Clinic last Monday.
Buckingham Palace said: "The King was discharged from hospital following planned medical treatment.
"He has rescheduled forthcoming public engagements to allow for a period of private recuperation.
"The King would like to thank the medical team and all those involved in supporting his hospital visit.
"He is grateful for all the kind messages he has received in recent days."
'Slow down'
Earlier this week, Camilla said her husband was "doing his best" as she opened a cancer support centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London.
Camilla, who married the King in 2005, has tirelessly supported the Monarch throughout his battle with his health in recent weeks.
She continued her own engagements in public, while privately urging her husband to rest.
An insider said: “The Queen has told him he needs to slow down a bit.”
Sources close to the King say he “likes to be busy”, is “raring to go” and had been reading his government Red Boxes.
What we know so far:
- The King has been diagnosed with a form of cancer
- Prince Harry is flying to the UK to support his father
- Meghan will remain in California with their children
- The King personally called his siblings and children to tell them
- He is receiving expert care from specialist doctors
- His Majesty returned from Sandringham to London to begin treatment
- Doctors advised the King to postpone public-facing Royal duties
- Camilla is preparing to play an important role supporting the King
- Charles will continue to receive Red Boxes and State documents during his treatment
- The King will continue to meet the Prime Minister for a weekly audience
He was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate on January 17 after suffering from symptoms.
He immediately scrapped engagements on the advice of doctors.
A royal source added: “His work ethic is well known and not a surprise to anyone.”
He is understood to have wanted to share the news to encourage other men to get themselves checked.
NHS England said the "enlarged prostate" page on the NHS website received one visit every five seconds on the day the King's diagnosis was announced.
NEVER STOPS
It was previously reported that although he may not be seen on public engagements for a month, he will continue to work while resting.
The King is known to work seven days a week, as Prince William remarked on a documentary for his dad’s 70th, “the man never stops".
He added: “When we were kids there were bags and bags and bags of work that the office just sent to him.”
And Prince Harry told the documentary Prince, Son and Heir — Charles at 70, screened in November 2018: “He does need to slow down.
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“This is a man who has dinner ridiculously late at night.
“And then goes to his desk later that night and will fall asleep on his notes to the point of where he’ll wake up with a piece of paper stuck to his face.”
ROYAL OPERATIONS
How the King and Kate's respective health battles unfolded:
Tuesday, January 16: Kate, 42, is secretly admitted to the London Clinic and undergoes abdominal surgery.
Wednesday, January 17: Kensington Palace announces the princess' operation and says she will remain in the private hospital for 10-14 days.
Over an hour later, Buckingham Palace announces the King, 75, is to have treatment for a benign enlarged prostate and will be admitted to hospital in a few days.
Thursday, January 18: Prince William spends time at his wife's bedside, driving himself away from the back entrance during the low-key, private visit.
The Queen says the King is "fine" and "looking forward to getting back to work" during a visit to the Aberdeen Art Gallery
Friday, January 19: The King flies back from Scotland with the Queen and heads to his Sandringham estate in Norfolk to rest ahead of the procedure.
Monday, January 22: The Queen tells 86-year-old well-wisher Jessie Jackson that the King is "fine", and thanks her for asking, while she carries out engagements in Swindon.
Camilla urges the King to take it easy. An insider told The Sun: "The Queen has told him he needs to slow down a bit."
Thursday, January 25: The King arrives back in London from Sandringham ready for his treatment.
Friday, January 26: The King is admitted to the London Clinic for treatment for an enlarged prostate and also visits the Princess of Wales, who is recovering in the same hospital.
Sunday, January 28: Queen Camilla arrives for her fourth visit on Charles' third day in hospital.
Monday, January 29: King Charles leaves hospital.
Sunday, February 4: Charles seen waving as he walks to church at Sandringham.
Monday, February 5: Buckingham Palace announce King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer.
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