King Charles admits he is ‘discovering’ the ‘terrible’ side of cancer

King Charles III recently provided a rare update on his cancer battle, saying he isn’t doing “too bad” as he met with other patients at a hospital.

The 76-year-old monarch was visiting Midland Metropolitan University Hospital on Wednesday when he spoke with a patient named Jacqueline Page, who mentioned she was “wearing out.” King Charles responded that this is a “terrible thing” that he’s “discovering already,” and quipped that “the bits don’t work so well when you get past 70,” hinting at how the disease wreaks havoc on one’s body and hampers its productivity.

Hello! Magazine reported on a conversation with another patient, Matthew Shinda, where King Charles confirmed that he’s “not [doing] too bad” himself, and that half the battle is “detecting it… in time.”

The King added that he believes doctors are “getting better and better at dealing with these things” and that “there’s always hope down the road.” This public comment is the first time he’s spoken about his health since July, when he told a cancer survivor that he was “doing a lot better now.”

King Charles seems to be feeling better, despite age getting to him

For those who may have forgotten, King Charles went public with his cancer diagnosis back in February 2024. The news came after he underwent a procedure for a benign enlarged prostate, during which subsequent tests “identified a form of cancer.” Buckingham Palace hasn’t specified the exact type of cancer he’s battling. At the time of his diagnosis, the palace said that the King felt “wholly positive” about his journey.

In March, the King was briefly hospitalized due to “temporary side effects” from his treatment, which caused him to step back from his royal duties for a short time. He was back to work by April, showing a speedy recovery. This news about King Charles’s health comes at a time when other members of the royal family are also dealing with cancer battles.

His daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, also stepped away from public appearances last year while undergoing chemotherapy. The Princess of Wales, 43, completed her treatment in September 2024 and has since made frequent public appearances. Most recently, she debuted a new blond hair transformation during a visit to London’s Natural History Museum.

In addition to King Charles and Kate Middleton, Prince Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, is also fighting skin cancer, a diagnosis she received in January 2024, just six months after she had a double mastectomy for breast cancer. She’s spoken publicly about her admiration for Kate Middleton, praising her strength through her own health struggles.

The King’s candid remarks and lighthearted approach to his health struggles are a reminder that even those in the highest positions are not immune to these battles. It’s good to hear that he’s doing “not too bad” and that he feels positive about his treatment, even with the difficulties that come with it.