Queen Camilla said King Charles ‘won’t slow down and won’t do what he’s told’ after his cancer diagnosis

The King was briefly hospitalised earlier this week

Queen Camilla once opened up about King Charles‘ refusal to ease up on his royal duties despite his ongoing battle with cancer.

Speaking to Jack Reacher author Lee Child at the second annual Queen’s Reading Room Festival at Hampton Court Palace in 2024, the Queen shared that while her husband is “doing fine,” he continues to ignore medical advice – and hers.
Queen Camilla revealed that the King hasn’t been listening to medical advice (Credit: Cover Images)

Queen Camilla admits King Charles ‘won’t slow down’ amid cancer battle

King Charles was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024 after undergoing a procedure for an enlarged prostate.

Though not prostate cancer, the diagnosis led to regular treatment and a reduced public schedule.

However, the monarch has resisted stepping back.

Camilla emphasised that her husband “won’t slow down and won’t do what he’s told”.

“Sounds to me like a typical husband,” Lee Child jokingly replied.

“He’s not one for chilling,” Camilla previously said. This sentiment has been echoed by royal insiders and even his own family.

His nephew Peter Phillips told Sky News last year that the King was “frustrated” by the pace of his recovery. Charles was reportedly “pushing his staff” to return to full royal duties as quickly as possible.

“You see how he works all day long. [He] has a quick supper and then disappears until about 4am to write letters,” Lady Sophie Windsor told Tatler in 2024. “He cares about so many things and comes up with brilliant solutions.”

Even Prince Harry shared anecdotes of his father falling asleep at his desk with paperwork stuck to his face.

Despite experiencing temporary side effects from treatment that required a brief hospital stay this week, the King reportedly returned to Clarence House that evening.

A planned trip to Birmingham was cancelled, and his diary may be adjusted in the coming days.

However, the King still intends to carry out a state visit to Italy with Queen Camilla on April 7. The trip will be his first overseas engagement of 2025.
The King was briefly hospitalised earlier this week (Credit: Cover Images)

King Charles cancer diagnosis

Royal editor Russell Myers recently noted in The Mirror that Charles seems to have adopted the late Queen Elizabeth II’s mantra – “One must be seen to be believed.”

“I thought he may have bitten off a rather sizeable chunk travelling to Australia and Samoa… last October,” Russell wrote. “But after a dose of Aussie sun… he looked in his element.”

Despite his diagnosis, Charles continued his foreign tour in October 2024. He even paused treatment to complete the demanding itinerary.

Charles’ cancer diagnosis came during what his son, Prince William, described as “the most brutal year” – with Princess Kate also revealing her own cancer battle just weeks later.

However, the king’s determination to uphold duty and tradition remains unwavering.

“He’s a great man and I wish him well,” royal commentator Angela Levin posted online following his recent hospital visit.

“Wishing King Charles a speedy recovery,” another fan wrote. “Looking forward to seeing him out and about amongst his citizens.”