Buckingham Palace yesterday announced the King would be returning to public-facing duties after a three-month absence.
This is despite the fact Charles, 75, is not yet clear of the disease and is still undergoing treatment.
However by working the King will be able to channel his energies into his constitutional role rather than dwelling on the illness, experts say. This can boost both his psychological and physical well being.
And the fact he feels able to return to work is also a positive sign that he is responding to treatment.
Professor Karol Sikora, a world leading cancer specialist said: “Physically, King Charles is clearly doing okay but psychologically there is going to be uncertainty about whether the cancer will come back – even after treatment. That is a problem with any cancer diagnosis. There is also a chance that the treatment itself might cause problems. This uncertainty can cause profound problems for some people.
“One of the best ways to handle this is to get back to normal as soon as possible.”
Professor Sikora, former advisor to the World Health Organisation on cancer care added: “The worst thing for anyone to do is to sit around watching daytime TV and reading magazines waiting for something to happen. It is good that the King is willing to go back to his unusual job if he feels able as this will deflect the uncertainty about his future which can be frightening for anybody.”
Professor Gordon Wishart, cancer consultant and Chief Medical Officer at diagnostics company Check4Cancer, said: “Cancer specialists talk about survivorship in cancer care which covers the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of cancer. This is equally as important as cancer treatment and can go on for the rest of a patient’s life. Patients need a framework for support both physically and psychologically and as cancer doctors we always encourage people to get back to work as soon as they can.
“Cancer patients don’t want to be sitting at home thinking about their illness. Often it can be a good idea to have a phased back to work plan but it is always better to work than and the support of his wider family will also be important.”
Since the King’s diagnosis in February Queen Camilla has carried out more than a dozen extra engagements on behalf of the royal family, including hosting Ukraine’s first lady and leading the Royal family at a memorial service for King Constatine of Greece at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. Taking on the extra work, along with senior royals including the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, meant the King did not have to appoint any of his Counsellors of State to undertake duties for him. This has been seen as a significant achievement considering the absence of Prince William and the Princess of Wales following her announcement that she was also being treated for cancer last month.
Professor Wishart credited the royal family with ‘stepping up’ to help with the King’s role during his absence. He said: “We have already seen other members of the Royal Family stepping up to help with Charles’ role and I’m sure this will be a great reassurance to him as he works his way back to normality.”
In a statement Buckingham Palace said: “His Majesty The King will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis.
“To help mark this milestone, The King and Queen will make a joint visit to a cancer treatment centre next Tuesday, where they will meet medical specialists and patients.
“This visit will be the first in a number of external engagements His Majesty will undertake in the weeks ahead.”
The King’s current health issues first became public in January when it was announced that he was going into hospital for surgery on an enlarged prostate.
He remained at the private London Clinic for three days. In February it was revealed tests had discovered the presence of cancer elsewhere in his body.
Buckingham Palace has not revealed the exact type of cancer the King has nor details of the treatment he received. However, it is understood not to be prostate cancer.
Officials have stressed that His Majesty’s treatment for cancer is still ongoing, saying: “His Majesty’s treatment programme will continue, but doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far that The King is now able to resume a number of public facing duties.”
It is understood each engagement will be carefully reviewed and managed to reduce any risks to the King’s recovery.
A palace spokesman has confirmed that planning continues for ways in which the couple may attend major summer engagements such as Trooping the Colour and Royal Ascot, although “nothing can be confirmed or guaranteed at this stage”, with all plans subject to doctors’ advice.
A spokesperson said they were unable to specify how long the recovery is expected to take: “It is too early to say, but His Majesty’s medical team are very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about The King’s continued recovery.”
