Few imagined that King Charles III would open up so spontaneously about his health. On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, during a visit to Newmarket, Suffolk, the monarch experienced a moment as human as it was unexpected. The story begins with some context.
In February 2024, Buckingham Palace announced that the king was suffering from an unspecified type of cancer, following surgery for an enlarged prostate. Until now, his statements about the illness had been very restrained.
A spontaneous gesture in Newmarket
During a walk after an official event, Charles III and Queen Camilla greeted the residents of Bury St Edmunds. It was then that Lee Harman, a 54-year-old local citizen who had overcome cancer, asked him directly: "How are you?" The king replied without a script or artifice: "I'm feeling much better. It's one of those things," Harper's.
The simple and approachable response contrasted with the usual royal secrecy. The exchange continued with a sharing of stories: the king asked the survivor, and he proudly replied that he had been discharged the previous year.
Official reactions and continuity of treatment
Since the diagnosis, the Palace has kept a reserved approach. They confirmed that the cancer was not prostate cancer and that the treatment was progressing favorably. In March 2025, the king had to be briefly hospitalized due to side effects from the treatment. At that time, Palace sources described the episode as "a small bump" and emphasized that he quickly resumed his public activities.
A spokesperson assured that the illness is managed as a chronic condition: "What you learn from this illness is that you have to manage it, and that's what he does," they said. It was also confirmed that his treatment cycle will continue throughout 2025.
Emotional context and previous messages
In April, during a reception for cancer organizations at Buckingham Palace, the monarch expressed the emotional impact of his diagnosis. He described the experience as "overwhelming and, at times, frightening," but he also emphasized that it can show "the best of humanity." He has also shared advice with other patients, highlighting the role of nutrition as support during treatment.
What does this change in tone mean?
The king has kept a cautious line of communication, but this gesture breaks the norm. Showing vulnerability without drama conveys normalcy in the face of cancer. It is an informative strategy: he doesn't hide the illness, but he doesn't turn it into a spectacle either. Perhaps it is a way to use his position to normalize the dialogue about the illness and approach the public with sincerity.
The best way to face an illness
This episode marks a turning point in how public health is managed in the British Crown. Charles III's health goes from a state secret to a personal, though moderate, conversation. In this scenario, the king has taken an unexpected step. He has spoken honestly, without exaggeration, guided by an empathetic impulse.