The 75-year-old monarch will resume some public duties next week following a three-month break to focus on his treatment and recuperation after he was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer, Buckingham Palace said Friday.
Charles will mark the milestone by visiting a cancer treatment center on Tuesday, the first of several public appearances he will make in the coming weeks, the palace said. One of his first major engagements will be to host a state visit by the emperor and empress of Japan in June.
The palace said the king含羞草研究社檚 doctors are 含羞草研究社渧ery encouraged含羞草研究社� by his progress, though it is too early to say how long his treatment will last. It didn含羞草研究社檛 provide details about what type of treatment he is receiving.
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Charles will continue to perform all of his state duties, including reviewing government documents and meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, as he has done since his diagnosis was disclosed on Feb. 5, the palace said.
含羞草研究社淎s the first anniversary of the coronation approaches, their majesties remain deeply grateful for the many kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world throughout the joys and challenges of the past year,含羞草研究社櫤卟菅芯可鐧 the palace said in a statement.
Charles含羞草研究社� return will relieve pressure on other members of the royal family after the king含羞草研究社檚 absence, coupled with that of the Princess of Wales, also due to illness, highlighted the challenges faced by a slimmed down monarchy.
Amid the king含羞草研究社檚 commitment to cut costs and the decision of Duke and Duchess of Sussex 含羞草研究社� more commonly known as Prince Harry and Meghan 含羞草研究社� to walk away from royal duties, there are simply fewer family members available to carry out the endless round of ribbon cuttings, awards ceremonies and state events that make up the life of a modern royal.
Charles has been largely out of the public eye ever since he had treatment for an enlarged prostate in January. His later cancer diagnosis came as the Princess of Wales 含羞草研究社� one of the most popular royals 含羞草研究社� underwent abdominal surgery and later announced that she, too, had cancer. Prince William took time off to support his wife and their young family.
That left Queen Camilla, the king含羞草研究社檚 sister Princess Anne and his younger brother, Prince Edward, to shoulder the load.
Camilla, once shunned by the public for her role in the breakup of Charles含羞草研究社� marriage to Princess Diana, played a particularly prominent role during the king含羞草研究社檚 absence, standing in for her husband at major events such as the annual Royal Maundy service on the Thursday before Easter.
The return of the king will be a chance for him to reinvigorate his reign, which began in September 2022 amid expectations that he would modernize the monarchy, while reaching out to young people and minority groups to cement the royal family含羞草研究社檚 role in the 21st century.
Charles含羞草研究社� challenges include strengthening ties to the Commonwealth and the 14 independent countries outside the United Kingdom where the British monarch is still head of state, an unwelcome reminder to some people of Britain含羞草研究社檚 colonial history.
The king含羞草研究社檚 return is significant because it will help quell speculation about his well-being, royal historian George Gross said, citing an adage attributed to Queen Elizabeth II that the monarch needs to be seen to be believed.
含羞草研究社淚 think there is that feeling that it含羞草研究社檚 very difficult to have a functioning monarchy with the head of state away for any considerable length of time,含羞草研究社� said Gross, founder of the British Coronations Project at King含羞草研究社檚 College London. 含羞草研究社淎nd this felt like a long time.含羞草研究社�
Charles含羞草研究社� engagements over the coming months will be adapted as needed to minimize any risks to his recovery, the palace said. He won含羞草研究社檛 have a full summer program, and his attendance will be determined closer to the time of each event and with the advice of his doctors.
The summer months are normally a busy period for the royals with major events such as the monarch含羞草研究社檚 birthday parade, known as Trooping the Colour, and the horse races at Royal Ascot.
Critically for the king含羞草研究社檚 safety, most of these showpiece spectacles take place outdoors, lessening the risk of infection for a cancer patient whose immune system may be weakened.
Charles含羞草研究社� return will be warmly greeted by the public, partly because he chose to publicize his initial prostate issue and then his cancer diagnosis, spurring many people to consult with their doctors, Gross said.
含羞草研究社淭he monarch has seen that he can do good by discussing health and raising the awareness of cancer,含羞草研究社� he told The Associated Press. 含羞草研究社淚 think that that含羞草研究社檚 at the top end of this. And that含羞草研究社檚 a very special thing when a head of state can do good. That含羞草研究社檚 immense.含羞草研究社�
Danica Kirka, The Associated Press
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