Camilla will give ‘massive support’ during treatment
The Queen will be key to helping her husband through his health scare and maintaining the public presence of the monarchy, according to a royal commentator.
Camilla was described as a “massive support” to Charles by Joe Little of Majesty Magazine, who highlighted how she carried out a string of public events last week following his treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The Queen visited London’s Royal Free hospital last Wednesday to open a £6 million centre run by the charity Maggie’s in her role as its patron.
The organisation provides welcoming spaces for cancer patients, and their families, to process the news of a diagnosis and to meet and bond with others receiving treatment.
Mr Little said: “Camilla has shown for a long time, and we’re very aware now, that she is famed as the power behind the throne. She is a massive support in so many ways to her husband.
“I think only now are people appreciating the true worth of Queen Camilla and that will very much be the case in the coming weeks.”
Earlier yesterday, the Prince of Wales’ office announced that William would, tomorrow, carry out his first public engagements since his wife Catherine had major abdominal surgery on January 16. It is thought he could take on some of the King’s work in the coming weeks and possibly months.
The King himself, meanwhile, apologised after the decision was taken to postpone his forthcoming public duties.
That means the King is unlikely to be at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 11, which is usually attended by senior members of the royal family.
The King and Queen were expected to visit Canada in May, and Australia, New Zealand and Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October.
Buckingham Palace has yet to confirm whether the tours will go ahead, with no date suggested for the King’s return to full public duties.
His cancer diagnosis raises the prospect of the high-profile overseas visits – his first to the countries as King – being postponed.
No forthcoming state visits have officially been confirmed by the Palace.
The palace said the King “looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible”, but it is not yet known whether it will affect his attendance at events such as those marking the 80th anniversary of D-day in June.
It is understood he will continue to receive red boxes and process state documents during treatment and there are no plans to appoint Counsellors of State.
A palace spokesman said: “Regrettably, a number of the King’s forthcoming public engagements will have to be rearranged or postponed. His Majesty would like to apologise to all those who may be disappointed or inconvenienced as a consequence.”
It is also understood that Charles will continue to be available for Privy Council meetings, but details of how they will take place are still being worked through. It is expected that alternative arrangements will be made for his weekly audience with the Prime Minister should doctors advise him to minimise any in-person contact.
£6m cancer centre was opened by Camilla