King Charles Opens Up About ‘Awful’ Side Effects of Cancer Treatment During Emotional Hospital Visit
Having been battling cancer himself for the past few years, King Charles knows the ins and outs of the disease and how it impacts the human body.
Having been battling cancer himself for the past 2 years, King Charles knows the ins and outs of the disease and how it impacts the human body. The King announced being diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer in February 2024 and, since then, has been undergoing treatment. Although he is now a lot better, he is still under the "precautionary phase," and for the first time in a while, the King opened up about his struggles with the cancer treatment.
To mark the 300 years of Guy’s Hospital, Charles visited its Cancer Centre and even tried his hand at a surgical robot while interacting with the patients. GB News shared that during one such interaction, the King had a moment of understanding with Raymond Burgess, a patient enrolled in the center undergoing chemotherapy. Talking about his plight, Mr. Burgess shared with the King how the treatment leaves a bitter taste in his mouth, and in a rare moment of vulnerability, Charles agreed with the gentleman, sharing insight into his own experience.
The King empathetically shared, "It's an awful sort of metallic taste." He continued, "It doesn't exactly help with eating." While the palace has occasionally shared bits about the King's health updates, His Majesty preferred to remain tight-lipped about it. So, him opening up about his post-treatment struggles was a rarity. Earlier, during a video message in December 2025, the King shared, “I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming." He continued, "Yet I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams—and, to their patients, the precious gift of hope."
Previously, in March 2025, Charles even had to be rushed to the hospital for a short period of time after he complained of experiencing temporary side effects during cancer treatment. Back then, he had to cancel a few of his engagements, but at the palace, it was only a little hiccup on the way, and the King was doing absolutely fine. "Most minor bump in a road that is very much heading in the right direction," shared a palace source with the BBC. A few days later, His Majesty soon resumed work.
Further on during his Guy's Hospital visit, Charles motivated Burgess and other patients and even met the other hospital staff, appreciating them for their service. His Majesty also explored the state-of-the-art Innovation Hub and unveiled a plaque commemorating the hospital's 300th anniversary. He even tried his hand at operating the hospital's revolutionary surgical robot, named the Da Vinci Surgical System, by zooming in on his own face on a five-pound note.
Appreciating the trailblazing system, Charles noted it as a “marvelous invention." Seeing himself struggle to control the machinery, he joked, “I think I'll have to come back after some more training." The system is still in the final stages of being approved for use by the NHS and awaits final approval, but Charles was mighty impressed with its mechanisms.
