Baroness Scotland of Asthal, the Commonwealth Secretary General, and King Charles meet at Buckingham Palace in London on March 13, 2024.Photo:YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
King Charlesis busy with work behind the scenes while receivingcancer treatment.
On Wednesday afternoon, the King, 75, received Baroness Scotland of Asthal, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, at Buckingham Palace. King Charles was photographed smiling and sharing a handshake with the diplomat during the private meeting.
According to theCourt Circular, King Charles also held a council and several audiences, including with British Prime MinisterRishi Sunak, though those meetings were not caught on camera.
Baroness Scotland of Asthal, the Commonwealth Secretary General, and King Charles meet at Buckingham Palace in London on March 13, 2024.YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The monarch still addressed the Commonwealth Day congregation through apre-recorded video, where he expressed thanks for all the well-wishes about his health and vowed to serve “to the best of my ability.” The service celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth — the family of nations mostly linked to the U.K. through the British Empire. Beyond the United Kingdom, Charles is King of 14 of the nations, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
There was a hiccup with the release of the remarks, however, as it wasaccidentally linkedto the personal YouTube account of the Palace’s Head of Digital Engagement, Emma Goodey. Courtiers quickly fixed the mistake.
Queen Camilla, 76, has been a steady presence while King Charles has been outside of the public eye and attended the Commonwealth Day reception that Baroness Scotland hosted in London on Monday night.
While King Charles was undertaking meetings at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, Queen Camillastepped out at the Cheltenham Festivalfor a day of horse racing. Other royal family members in attendance at the event includedPrincess Anne,Princess EugenieandZara Tindall.
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AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
A source close to the royal household says the King is “coping well” with his cancer treatment, but there’s still growing concern about his health. The monarch has not disclosed his specific diagnosis, which Buckingham Palace announced following his treatment forbenign prostate enlargementin January, though a spokesman confirmed it is not prostate cancer.
Bedell Smith also says, “Even though he has revealed that he has a form of cancer, that has done nothing to quell the speculation about how seriously ill he may or may not be. That is not doing the monarchy any favors. He is the head of state, and there are constitutional implications.”
In addition to King Charles' health issues,Kate Middletonalso postponed public duty during her private recovery followingabdominal surgeryuntil at least Easter.
Adding to the recent turmoil surrounding the royal family, the Princess of Wales issued asurprise apologyon Monday regarding theMother’s Day photocirculated over the weekend after multiple global photo agencies pulled the picture due tosuspicion of manipulation.
source: people.com
