A 30-minute
»»Estranged Harry flies in to meet Dad »»‘Fit’ Charles will cope with any treatment
WITH the shock of his cancer diagnosis still resonating, King Charles was yesterday reunited with estranged son Prince Harry.
The pair had a whirlwind 30-minute meeting and Charles was later spotted for the first time since the news of his disease.
He waved and smiled at wellwishers as he left Clarence House in London and was driven with Camilla to a waiting helicopter at the Palace.
The pair were whisked to Sandringham in
Norfolk, where Charles will continue his recovery. Royal sources insisted the 75-year-old is “remaining positive” about his prognosis as friends said his strict health and daily military fitness regime will perfectly prepare him for potential gruelling treatment. Meeting Harry after all their differences will surely have lifted his spirits.
The Prince’s relationship with his family has been fractured since he quit royal life in 2020 and published his memoir Spare.
Harry flew into London from California yesterday on a 12-hour flight. He left wife Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet behind at home in Montecito, to be by his ailing father’s side. After touching down in Heathrow at 1.15pm the Duke was taken through the exclusive Windsor Suite to a car.
Harry arrived at Clarence House in a blacked-out Range Rover at 2.45pm for his scheduled meeting with his father.
The same car was seen racing out of the royal residence gates at 3.40pm. It was not clear if Harry was a passenger or was staying behind to visit his cousin Princess Beatrice.
She lives at nearby St James’s Palace. Her mother, Sarah Ferguson, is fighting her own cancer battle.
TRAVEL
King Charles’s decision to return to his Norfolk estate to rest reflects his love of the outdoors.
Those close to him suggested he would find solace walking in the grounds as he prepares for weeks of “specialist treatment” in London.
Buckingham Palace yesterday refused to provide further updates on his health or what sort of cancer he has, although it is not prostate.
But it echoed the statement released on Monday which read: “His Majesty is grateful to his medical team for their expert care and swift
Charles’ healthy life will help in his cancer battle
ROYAL SOURCE ON
THE KING’S FITNESS
intervention, is wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”
Friends and former staff are also confident his lifelong good living will give him the best platform for his fight against the disease.
One royal source said: “Charles has led a healthy and active life which will leave him perfectly placed to face his cancer battle.”
Despite his relentless daily schedule, Charles always takes a break at around 1pm, “not to eat but to get outside to walk”, his former press secretary Julian Payne has said. He added: “The King dislikes being inside for too long and always has the windows wide open.”
Charles has also been an avid devotee of the 5BX routine (Five Basic Exercises), created by the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Their 11-minute workout is designed to keep pilots fit wherever they found themselves as the routine does not require equipment. The King, who served in the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, is said to do the workout twice a day.
It is understood his routine includes simple moves such as sit-ups and pushups.
Experts insist maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important during cancer treatment.
Further evidence has shown managing stress and fatigue caused by the disease can also be offset by being healthy.
Countless studies reveal those who are able to exercise during treatment may be able to deal better with the side-effects. Charles is said to be fit for his age and has seldom required hospital treatment, with most of his ailments caused by sporting injuries.
Queen Camilla spoke about her husband’s well-being during the pandemic, when he was 71. She told the BBC: “He is probably the fittest man of his age I know.
“He’ll walk and walk and walk.
“He’s like a mountain goat, he leaves everybody miles behind.”
Alongside healthy breakfasts, Charles is famed for often skipping lunch while avoiding eating meat, fish and dairy on certain days of the week.
His love of the outdoors, including hiking and camping, prompted Bear Grylls to describe him as “an adventurer at heart”.
Charles was diagnosed with cancer during a three-day stay at the London Clinic in Marylebone to have his enlarged prostate treated.
The Palace said he will receive “appropriate treatment from a specialist team”. It began on Monday.
King Charles has postponed all public-facing duties, but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers.
He usually has a weekly audience with PM Rishi Sunak on Wednesdays.
Camilla will continue her public duties while also supporting her husband as he recovers.
He is the fittest man I know for his age. He just walks CAMILLA SPEAKING ABOUT KING’S HEALTH