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The Palace has shared an update on King Charles' cancer battle.

King Charles is in good health and will return to public duties, starting with a visit to a cancer centre with his wife, Queen Camilla

It will be the first time the King has ventured out since being diagnosed with cancer. Buckingham Palace made the announcement last night, confirming his majesty has made good progress following his treatment and much-needed recuperation. 

In February, the palace revealed that the 75-year-old King had been diagnosed with a form of cancer detected in tests after a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate. The Royal Family has never said what specific type of cancer he has been diagnosed with, apart from to say it was not prostate cancer. He is understood to be making regular visits to London for radiotherapy treatment. It has also not been confirmed what stage the cancer is.

Although King Charles has continued with official state business, the diagnosis led him to postpone public engagements to begin treatment and rest.

"His majesty's treatment program will continue but doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far that the King is now able to resume a number of public-facing duties," Palace representatives said overnight.

"His majesty is greatly encouraged to be resuming some public-facing duties and very grateful to his medical team for their continued care and expertise," the statement said.

"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."

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Although it's too early to say how much longer his cancer treatment will last, the representative said his doctors were "very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about the King's continued recovery".

Since his diagnosis, the King has only appeared in public once last month, greeting well-wishers in an impromptu walkabout after an Easter church service in Windsor, raising hopes that his health was improving.

To mark his return, King Charles and Camilla will now visit a cancer treatment centre in London next Tuesday.

The King's treatment coincided with news his daughter-in-law Princess Kate, was undergoing preventative chemotherapy after tests following major abdominal surgery revealed cancer had been present. The Princess of Wales has not yet returned to public duties.

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Watch: a look back at King Charles' Christmas message. Post continues below.


Video via Buckingham Palace.

The King's health scare also came less than 18 months into his reign as the top monarch, following Queen Elizabeth's death.

The announcement from Buckingham Palace was made amid reports that emerged of King Charles' supposed declining health this week. As per The Daily Beast, the King's health is progressively deteriorating, sources telling the publication that the monarch is "very unwell" and the outlook is "not good".

"Of course, he is determined to beat it, and they are throwing everything at it. Everyone is staying optimistic, but he is really very unwell. More than they are letting on," the source said. 

Plans for the King's funeral are also being regularly updated and reviewed, according to The New York Post.

King Charles' funeral plan explained.

Operation Menai Bridge is the codename used in reference to King Charles' death.

The plan that outlined the process between the death of late Queen Elizabeth and her funeral was codenamed Operation London Bridge.

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The way Operation Menai Bridge will unfold would be similar to that of the 10-day plan Operation London Bridge.

According to The Daily Beast, while funeral plans are routinely reviewed, a former staffer said the plans had been "dusted off and are actively being kept up to date". 

"It’s no more than what you would expect given the king has been diagnosed with cancer. But the circulation of them has certainly focused minds," the source said. 

The publication was also told the Palace was looking at every aspect of the plan. 

"The Queen's funeral went like clockwork and set a high bar. It's not an emotional thing, it's a job, one taken very seriously, and understandably no-one plans to get caught out."

As soon as Operation Menai Bridge is underway, the next in line for the throne would become King, aka William, Prince of Wales.

William would address the nation, and the UK public would enter a period of national mourning ahead of the funeral.

The Union Jack flag would be lowered across the UK, and parliamentary proceedings would pause. King Charles' coffin would then lie in state at Westminster Hall for the public to pay their respects — similar to the thousands upon thousands who paid their respects at Queen Elizabeth's coffin in 2022.

The funeral would then likely take place around 10 days after his passing. 

Feature Image: Getty.

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