Charles Was ‘Reduced to Tears’ by Public's Reaction to His Cancer Diagnosis, New Book Reveals

King Charles has faced a challenging period since his cancer diagnosis in February 2024. Nevertheless, the monarch has continued with his royal duties, balancing them with his ongoing treatment. Reflecting on the difficult time he had had, royal author Robert Jobson revealed that the King was 'reduced to tears' by the outpouring of love and support from the public when the news of his diagnosis first broke. According to the author, despite Charles's controversial separation from the late Princess Diana, the public chose to look beyond it, focusing instead on his speedy recovery.

In his book, The Windsor Legacy, Jobson detailed how the royal family coped with the tough challenges that followed in the last year. He penned, "He's [Charles] been reduced to tears — not by his plight, but by the thousands of warm letters he has received. Some were cards, clearly made by children and covered in glitter or accompanying a get-well gift of Smarties." The author pointed out that despite the public's admiration for Diana, they were more focused on his health. "Charles was simply overwhelmed to learn that so many cared and wished him well," despite the backlash from "those who adored his late wife Diana."

The King, after his diagnosis, has taken steps to focus on his health, changing his diet and getting enough rest. Jobson wrote, "[He's] changed some of the habits that once seemed set in stone," adding that he was 'slowing down' and listening to his medical team. He has reportedly reduced eating red meat and dairy and added nutrient-rich foods like half an avocado at lunchtime. The monarch, on the advice of his team, briefly postponed public-facing duties while still carrying out state business behind the scenes. 

Charles, unlike his mother, the late Queen, made the bold decision to have transparency but has kept the type of cancer private. At the time, Buckingham Palace released a statement which partly read, "His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer." He was reportedly diagnosed with the disease during his hospital stay for a routine procedure for benign prostate enlargement. Since then, the monarch has been hospitalized once, in March, after suffering temporary side effects from treatment. 

After the hospitalization in March, his office revealed he was admitted to The London Clinic, the same hospital where he reportedly underwent prostate surgery. A royal insider described the scare at the time as "the most minor bump in the road that’s very much heading in the right direction." The King has reportedly continued to follow doctors' advice and has a jovial approach when speaking about his battle with the disease at various public engagements.