Is King Charles slowly taking a step back from royal duties due to cancer treatment?

King Charles III may finally be heeding medical advice to scale back his royal workload, following his cancer diagnosis and recent health concerns.

The 76-year-old monarch has taken on only four public engagements since returning from a four-day state visit to Italy in April, a notable shift in pace that many royal watchers say reflects a deliberate effort to slow down.

His lighter schedule comes amid Queen Camilla’s own concerns about her husband’s tireless commitment to duty. 

During recent public appearances, the 77-year-old Queen has joked with well-wishers that the King “just won’t listen and do what he’s told.”

King Charles and Queen Camilla visited Rome from April 7–10, after which the King made just a handful of appearances.

On April 17, he attended the Royal Maundy Service, where he quipped with a supporter who complimented his appearance, saying, “You are very kind, it’s all mirrors.”

On April 20, the King led the Easter Sunday service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, accompanied by senior royals including Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

On April 21, he met with the Prime Minister of New Zealand at Windsor Castle in a private audience.

On April 30, he hosted a moving Community-Based Cancer Support Reception at Buckingham Palace, where he delivered a personal speech thanking researchers, healthcare professionals, and volunteers for their life-saving work.

The shift in pace seems intentional. Insiders say the King’s schedule has been carefully managed since his diagnosis, balancing royal duties with ongoing treatment and recovery.

What has King Charles been diagnosed with?

King Charles was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February 2024 and has been undergoing regular treatment ever since.

After initially postponing public-facing duties for nearly 12 weeks, the monarch resumed a full schedule of engagements, including a demanding tour of Australia and Samoa.

Despite the brief hospital visit, a royal source indicated that King Charles’ treatment remains on track and that his planned state visit to Italy next month is still expected to proceed.

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