King Charles Is a 'Fighter': 'He Will Come Through' Cancer Diagnosis, Says Source (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

King Charles in September 2023.Photo:Samir Hussein - Handout/Getty

Samir Hussein - Handout/Getty

King Charlescan take faith in his inner strength after beingdiagnosed with cancerand starting treatment.

“He’s a fighter and has an inner steel,” royal biographer Robert Hardmantells PEOPLEexclusively in this week’s issue. “He’s philosophical and stoical and has a deeper faith than people appreciate.”

Looking to the past, the author ofThe Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchynotesthat King Charles, 75,faced a gunman— unbeknownst to him or his security, armed with blank bullets — in Sydney in 1994, along with bomb threats during hisinvestitureas Prince of Wales in 1969.

Adds a source close to the royal household, “He is a positive person and has a really healthy attitude to looking after his body. Cancer treatment has come a long, long way. He will come through.”

Although the statement offered few details, the palace did reveal that when the King underwent hisprostate procedureon Jan. 26, a separate issue of concern was detected, and “subsequent diagnostic tests have revealed the presence of a form of cancer." (The type of cancer has not been disclosed in keeping with the palace’s tight-lipped approach to medical conditions, but it is not prostate cancer, a spokesman confirmed.)

“In time we might know,” says Hardman, “but for now, there is a feeling that they have been pretty open.”

Queen Camilla and King Charles leave Clarence House in London on Feb. 6.HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images

HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images

The King has begun “regular treatments” and will postpone public duties, the palace statement added, noting that Charles “remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”

AlthoughPrince Williammay undertake some duties on behalf of his father, there are currently no plans to appointCounsellors of Stateto act on King Charles’ behalf.

“He wouldn’t want to put that pressure on William,” says the source. “He has always wanted to save his children from having that pressure too early and that will remain. Particularly as William has other priorities [withKate Middleton, who is recovering fromabdominal surgery.]”

Prince William and King Charles during the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph on November 12, 2023 in London.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

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King Charles will continue to receive his “red boxes,” the monarch’s daily delivery of official files, and process state documents during his treatment. It is also expected that the King will maintain his weekly audience with Prime MinisterRishi Sunak, with appropriate adjustments made if his doctors advise minimizing in-person contact.

“Yes, he’s going to step back from public duties for a considerable time, but there will be plenty of work for him — it just won’t necessarily be in a room with hundreds of people,” Hardman tells PEOPLE.

Adds the palace insider: “He will want to get on with the job.”

PEOPLE magazine, Feb. 19.

source: people.com