Queen Camilla Grows Worried as ‘Exhausted’ King Charles Refuses to Slow Down Despite Medical Advice
King Charles has continued to prioritize royal duties even while undergoing cancer treatment, refusing to slow down despite concerns from his family and medical team. Diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024 after treatment for an enlarged prostate, the King has since remained under medical supervision, the BBC reported. But his relentless pursuit of duty is causing fears, especially from his wife, Queen Camilla.
As of July 2025, the King is known to be continuing with his cancer treatment, but reports, including direct statements from him, say he is “feeling a lot better now.” Charles’s health has not significantly slowed his public life. He has returned to official duties after brief periods of recuperation, including having suffered temporary side effects of treatment in March that required a short hospital stay. By his own admission, cancer has brought 'daunting' moments. The toll is apparent, with one friend telling the Daily Beast, “He is exhausted. It is tricky because he is energized by the work, but he needs to take a break. Camilla wants him to slow down, but he won’t.”
Palace sources indicate Camilla is advocating for Charles to rest, particularly with the highly anticipated state visit from Donald Trump looming in September. Aides are reportedly structuring the King’s summer, with his traditional Balmoral retreat in August, to ensure he is in the best health possible for the visit, which is expected to involve long, busy days. The Trump visit, remarkable as the second state visit for a sitting US President, is scheduled from September 17 to 19 at Windsor Castle, with formal ceremonies and banquets in the works.
Charles has kept up appearances at major events this year, attending elaborate VE Day celebrations, Trooping the Colour, Royal Ascot, and hosting French President Emmanuel Macron. His public engagements have been punctuated by episodes that stoked public concern, such as a recent event when he was seen with a bloodshot eye, later clarified as a burst blood vessel unrelated to his cancer and classified as harmless in Palace statements.
Amid health pressures, the King also faced uncomfortable headlines at home. Reports recently emerged of a mass resignation at his Highgrove estate, where 11 of 12 full-time gardeners resigned, citing overwhelming demands, low pay, and a challenging workplace culture marked by 'physical burnout' and 'unrealistic' expectations from Charles. In light of the same, a pal of the King revealed that Charles was 'saddened' by a normal private spat with staff at Highgrove, having made the front page, the Scottish Daily Express reported.
As Charles continues to push forward, the royal household has other things at hand to deal with. While The Queen attempts to keep things steady, Prince Harry remains a wildcard. Described by insiders as a 'loose cannon', Harry’s unpredictable public moves and strained ties with the Palace add another layer of stress for the monarch, who reportedly remains unsure of how to handle the estrangement with his youngest son. The Palace continues to strike a positive note, stating that the King's treatment is “moving in a positive direction” and that he remains optimistic about returning to full public duty. Yet, insiders acknowledge the likely scenario that Charles will “die with cancer, although not necessarily of cancer."