ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship gives the latest after Queen Camilla was asked about King Charles’s health
Queen Camilla has said the King is coping “extremely well” with his cancer diagnosis and has thanked members of the public for their messages of support.
The Queen, 76, left Charles at Sandringham to fulfil her royal engagement at Salisbury Cathedral and among the first people she met were medical staff from Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
Ben Abbott, 40, a critical care paramedic, said: “I do hope His Majesty is doing well Ma’am, we’re all really sad to hear the news.”
Camilla replied: “Well, he’s doing extremely well under the circumstances, he’s very touched by all the letters and the messages the public have been sending from everywhere – that’s very cheering.
“He’s doing extremely well under circumstances. We are very touched by all of the letters and messages.”
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Monday that the King, 75, had been diagnosed with cancer while undergoing a corrective procedure on his enlarged prostate.
He has started treatment and while he has postponed public-facing duties he “remains wholly positive about his treatment,” a palace statement said.
Buckingham Palace has not confirmed the type of cancer the King has been diagnosed with, but it is understood he does not have prostate cancer.
Since Charles’s announcement, Macmillan Cancer Support has said the number of people visiting its website has surged.
The charity’s chief executive, Gemma Peters, said: “Our thoughts remain with His Majesty The King and his family during what must be a very difficult time.
“We hope that, by sharing his diagnosis so publicly and at such an early stage, the King will encourage others to come forward and speak to their GP if they are worried about any signs or symptoms.”
Despite postponing all public-facing duties, Charles is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers.
Prince William may step in to represent his father at an event, but no engagements are scheduled at the moment and the royal palaces will make arrangements if the need arises.
Kate left hospital last Monday after abdominal surgery and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her three children, but the 42-year-old is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter.
The Queen has a home in Lacock, Wiltshire, and she chatted with the air ambulance medics about their work.
Mr Abbott said: “I told her we always wave when we fly over Lacock and she said she always waves back.”
The Queen also met representatives from a number of other charities including the Colonel’s Fund, Grenadier Guards before enjoying a private musical concert with guests compered by Paul Martin, host of BBC’s Flog It!.
The Prince of Wales was the first member of the royal family to speak about the King’s diagnosis when he gave a speech at a gala fundraising dinner in London on Wednesday night.
The prince said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days.
“It means a great deal to us all.”
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