Queen Camilla has spoken candidly about King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, revealing how difficult it was to keep his illness private during a visit to a cancer support centre shortly before the news became public.
In a film marking 30 years of Maggie’s drop-in centres, Camilla praised her husband’s determination and said his openness about his diagnosis had encouraged more people — particularly men — to seek support.
When told that Charles had inspired others through the way he handled his illness, Camilla pointed to her husband and said: “Look at my husband. Nothing stopped him.”
“This is my way. I am going to cope with it”
Camilla recalled how Charles responded after learning he had cancer.
According to the Queen, the King adopted a determined attitude, telling her: “This is my way, I am going to cope with it.”
The Queen said his approach had clearly had an impact beyond the Royal Family.
Dame Laura Lee DBE, chief executive of Maggie’s, told Camilla that the organisation had seen more people coming through its doors because of the King’s willingness to speak openly about his diagnosis and continue living a productive life.
The charity subsequently recorded a 12 per cent increase in male users.
Camilla appeared pleased by the news, saying once again: “Look at my husband. Nothing stopped him.”
The visit Camilla found “quite difficult”
The Queen also reflected on a particularly emotional visit to Maggie’s in January 2024, shortly after Charles had been diagnosed.
At that point, the diagnosis had not yet been made public, meaning Camilla was unable to discuss what was happening with the people she met.
She admitted that keeping quiet while surrounded by cancer patients and their loved ones was extremely difficult.
“I remember coming to see Maggie’s just after the King had been diagnosed and nobody could say anything at the time,” she recalled. “That was quite difficult.”
Camilla said she nearly revealed what was happening but ultimately decided the moment was not right.
“I almost said something but I felt it wasn’t the time to say.”
Instead, she spent time observing and speaking with people at the centre, an experience that made her appreciate even more how important such organisations are to patients and families.
“I was just longing to let it out”
The visit took place at the official opening of the Maggie’s centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London at the end of January 2024.
Charles had been diagnosed with cancer earlier that month and announced the news publicly in February.
Dame Laura later told Camilla that the visit must have required enormous courage because it took place only a week before the King’s diagnosis became public.
Camilla admitted: “I was just longing to let it out but obviously I couldn’t.”
Dame Laura explained that greater openness around cancer can help make the disease less frightening, particularly when people are willing to talk about what they are experiencing rather than keeping everything hidden.
Camilla also acknowledged that her conversations with visitors felt different on that particular occasion.
“I was almost questioning them. I didn’t want to pry too deeply,” she said. “But normally when I went in, I was just talking to them. But, I don’t know, I felt it was much more deep.”
Charles’ openness appears to have encouraged men to seek help
Dame Laura confirmed that the number of male visitors to Maggie’s had risen, with the charity recording a 12 per cent increase in men using its services.
The seven-minute film, produced by Buckingham Palace in partnership with Maggie’s, features patients who have received support from the organisation.
It also highlights services available to relatives, with particular attention to supporting men who may be more reluctant to seek help.
Dame Laura described her conversation with Camilla as a privilege and said hearing the Queen speak about her emotions while visiting the Royal Free centre was particularly meaningful.
She also credited Charles’ decision to speak publicly about his diagnosis with helping others feel more comfortable discussing cancer themselves.
Charles continues his public duties
The King’s treatment is understood to be continuing in a positive direction.
Charles returned to public-facing duties in April 2024, less than three months after his treatment began.
He has continued carrying out official engagements, with the King recently greeting members of the public outside Balmoral after inspecting the Balaklava Company, his Royal Guard, as he began his summer stay at the castle.
During the inspection, Charles also met Cpl Cruachan IV, the Shetland pony mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Camilla has previously described her husband as a workaholic who “won’t slow down and won’t do what he’s told” despite his diagnosis.
Charles has spoken about his own cancer journey
In April last year, Charles reflected on the experience of living with cancer while recognising community-based cancer support groups.
He acknowledged that every diagnosis can be daunting and frightening for patients and their loved ones, but said his own experience had also highlighted what he described as the very best of humanity.
He praised the specialists, nurses, researchers and volunteers who work to support cancer patients and improve their lives.
Then, last December, Charles revealed that his treatment would be reduced.
He described the development as “both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances made in cancer care in recent years.”
In a message supporting the Stand Up To Cancer campaign, the King also spoke about the “community of care” surrounding cancer patients and the people working tirelessly to save and improve lives.
The film marks three decades of Maggie’s
Maggie’s has been marking 30 years of supporting people affected by cancer, with Camilla serving as its president since 2008.
Dame Laura said the new film not only celebrates the organisation’s history but also looks toward its future ambition of having 60 centres across the UK.
She expressed gratitude for Camilla’s continued role as president and said the Queen’s willingness to discuss her personal experience could help underline why patients’ families and friends also need support.
Earl Spencer’s Diana Memoir
The article also highlights another major royal story: Earl Spencer has written a tell-all memoir about his sister, Princess Diana.
Titled Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, the book is described as an “extraordinarily moving” personal account.
The memoir is understood to cover Diana’s childhood, her 15-year marriage to Charles, and the chaotic period that followed her fatal car crash in Paris in 1997.
Earl Spencer, 62, said he wants readers to see Diana as a “dynamic character, full of love, charisma and self-doubt” who embraced life and left the world a better place despite dying so young.
The book is due to be published globally on September 22, ahead of the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death next year, and will be translated into 12 languages.