LONDON.- He king Charles III made his first official public appearance in London on Tuesday since being diagnosed with cancer in February and after doctors said they were very encouraged by the progress of his treatment.
The British head of state, 75, and his wife, Queen Camilla, were greeted by a crowd upon their arrival at the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, a cancer center in central London.
Charles III heads the board of trustees of the organizations Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support, and the queen, 76, chairs another association supporting cancer patients called Maggie’s.
At the doors of the center, the couple smiled and waved to the crowd and journalists before entering to chat with medical specialists, patients and their families.
Diagnostics
The British monarch suspended his public activities in February when he was diagnosed with cancer while receiving treatment for an inflamed prostate. The exact nature of his cancer has not yet been revealed. His daughter-in-law Kate Middleton, the 42-year-old Princess of Wales, underwent abdominal surgery in January and announced in March that she is receiving chemotherapy.
In his case, the type of cancer he suffers from was not revealed either. Kate, as she is known, is the wife of Prince William, Charles’ eldest son and heir to the throne.
Tuesday’s event, the first of several commitments scheduled in the coming weeks, aims to raise awareness about the importance of early cancer diagnosis and highlight innovations in research.
Charles, who came to the British throne in September 2022, after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was crowned king on May 6, 2023. Since his diagnosis he has been seen at religious services and some audiences. He has also continued his official state affairs.
On Friday, Buckingham Palace said doctors were encouraged by the progress of his treatment and felt positive about his recovery.
His treatment will continue and his schedule over the coming weeks will be reduced and subject to the advice of his doctors, a spokesman said. A planned engagement is the state visit of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan in June.
Sensitize
The king participated last week in activities to raise awareness about cancer. “It’s a huge issue in today’s society,” Keegan Gray, a 23-year-old New Zealander living in London, told AFP. “Many people have cancer and many keep quiet about it, they are ashamed,” he commented.
Actress Annie Rae Donaghy, 21, noted for her part that the king’s situation will remind people that everyone struggles with this regardless of their social status.
Charles and Kate’s cancer diagnoses have been a headache for the royal family, as both have had to suspend their public engagements.
William also reduced his activities to support his wife and three children.
Camila has assumed many of her husband’s commitments. Princess Anne and Prince Edward, Charles’ brothers, have also taken on some roles.
Charles’s youngest son, Prince Harry, no longer participates in British royal functions, but is scheduled to arrive in London on May 8 for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, an event for disabled military veterans he founded.
Later, he visited Nigeria with his wife, former American actress Meghan Markle.
FUENTE: AFP
