Earlier this year, Buckingham Palace revealed that Prince Charles had been diagnosed with cancer. In a statement, the Palace said (via the BBC), "The King is completely positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duties as soon as possible."

The statement also explained why the King wanted to share his personal health journey with the public. The statement said, "His Majesty the King has chosen to make his diagnosis public in order to avoid speculation and in the hope that it will aid public understanding for those around the world affected by cancer." However, not everyone agreed with Prince Charles' decision to reveal that he has cancer, according to a new report in The Independent. [Royal biographer Robert Jobson wrote, "Queen Camilla initially opposed the king's decision to disclose his condition, but he pushed it through. Jobson also revealed that the King's candor seems to have had a positive impact, "After the King's revelation, searches related to prostate enlargement ... . increased significantly."

Despite Camilla's apparent resistance, Charles allegedly wanted to avoid "fake news" about his health from circulating. Jobson noted that "he was praised for doing so, and commentators said he ushered in a new era of transparency in health and royal affairs."

Just last month, a report by Rebecca English, royal editor of the Daily Mail, revealed that Camilla's friends "had never seen her so worried" following the news of Charles' diagnosis. English explained Camilla's fears "not because the King's prognosis was particularly poor, but, it should be stressed, because on a human level, cancer is truly frightening for both the patient and his partner."

In May, during a royal excursion, Prince Charles said he lost his sense of taste while undergoing chemotherapy. Keeping open about his own health has certainly allowed the monarch to connect with more people. Meanwhile, Prince William's wife, Princess Kate, was also diagnosed with cancer in 2024, meaning the royal family faced a truly challenging year.