King Charles is "managing" his cancer and carrying on with life "as normal as possible," according to a senior royal aide, as he and Queen Camilla wrapped
King Charles is “managing” his cancer and carrying on with life “as normal as possible,” according to a senior royal aide, as he and Queen Camilla wrapped up their whirlwind tour of Canada.
While the King’s treatment is ongoing, neither the Queen nor his closest advisors have been able to persuade him to ease his demanding schedule.
Over the course of a two-day visit to Ottawa, Their Majesties undertook a packed itinerary, culminating in the King’s 26-minute speech—delivered in both English and French—during the state opening of Parliament.
“You learn that with this illness, you simply manage it. And that’s exactly what he’s doing,” the aide said. “Medical science has come so far—I genuinely see no difference in him. As long as he follows the doctors’ advice, he just lives life as normally as possible, and that’s what he’s doing.”
“It’s no secret that he’s still receiving treatment, but because he’s incredibly fit, he’s handling it all exceptionally well. He’s driven by duty, and he simply gets on with the job.”
Although the King and Queen will step back from public duties for the remainder of the week, palace aides continue to plan the royal schedule as usual—albeit with some effort to lighten the load, though reportedly with limited success.
The coming royal summer calendar is filled with major events, including Trooping the Colour for the King’s official birthday, Garter Day at Windsor Castle, Royal Ascot, and an incoming state visit from French President Emmanuel Macron in July.
Charles and Camilla were warmly received in Canada, where they made a point of engaging closely with the public—shaking hands at community events in Lansdowne Park and greeting crowds during a walkabout to the war memorial after the state opening.
The King was said to be “very touched” by the warm welcome. A senior aide noted: “Visiting a realm where you are sovereign but do not reside is significant—whether in Australia or now in Canada. It’s a moment to reset that relationship. Their Majesties were moved to see so many turn out and express their joy. As the King said in his farewell message, which came straight from the heart: ‘It was the warmest of welcomes and the fondest of returns to a nation and a people we love.’”
While the monarchy remains rooted in continuity, King Charles III is clearly shaping his reign—the Carolean era—with a distinct personal touch.
“Nearly three years in, it’s clear what kind of monarch he is,” said a senior aide. “He’s balancing the traditional role with a modern sensibility that’s unique to him. Drawing on decades of relationships, he’s emerging as a global statesman—using soft power in ways that benefit the realms and Commonwealth during a time of global challenge.”
“At the heart of his reign are what we call the ‘four big Cs’: communities, climate, Commonwealth, and culture. And then there’s the smaller ‘c’—his own cancer diagnosis—which he’s using as a platform to show solidarity with others facing the same battle.”
“He’s approaching his illness in a deeply human way—connecting with the public on a personal level. We now have a clearer sense of what the Carolean age stands for—one rooted in compassion, resilience, and service, now and for years to come.”
