Duty calls King will still go through his daily red boxes in spite of diagnosis

The King will continue to receive his daily red boxes of Government papers during his cancer treatment, it was confirmed yesterday, as he apologised for the “inconvenience” his diagnosis will cause. The monarch, who is often branded a “workaholic”, has opted to plough on with his office work in an attempt to maintain his daily routine. He is expected to continue his weekly audiences with the Prime Minister, which could be held over the phone rather than in person, if he is advised by doctors to minimise contact with people because of the risk of infection. The King is also hoping to complete select meetings in private and to be available for state duties, including Privy Council meetings, when possible and subject to medical advice. However, he had no choice but to cancel public engagements but apologised to all those “disappointed” or “inconvenienced” as a consequence. Having only just received his diagnosis, details of his commitments are still being worked through and it is not known when a full programme of engagements will recommence. It was reported that the King and Queen were due to travel to Canada on an official tour this spring, although this had not been confirmed by the palace. Royal sources said planning for future overseas visits would continue where possible, making allowances for the changed circumstance. This will include a planned trip to Australia in October, when the King is also scheduled to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa. Royal aides previously suggested that he would not return to public duties for several weeks, with the typical patient being treated for a benign enlarged prostate requiring around a month of recovery. Aides acknowledged that the monarch’s case was not typical, noting that his secondary diagnosis and treatment plan had not been confirmed. True to form, the King continued working right up until his hospital admission last month, meeting academics from Cambridge University at Sandringham on Jan 25, before travelling back to London for his treatment. Buckingham Palace made clear when it was first announced that he had been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate that the King would continue to go through his daily red boxes with his private secretary.