King meets cancer patients as he returns to official duties
The King and Queen at the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre – Stephen Lock / i-Images
The King has made his return to public duties for the first time since his cancer diagnosis, as he was joined by the Queen on a visit to a cancer support centre.
The King, who is today named as the new patron of Cancer Cancer Research UK, hopes to put the disease front and centre of his awareness-raising work as he returns to public engagements.
Since news of his diagnosis was announced on Feb 6, he has been working from home as the Queen continued with her public programme alone.
They have now made their joint return at University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, to meet staff, patients and their families.
‘Cancer can be a scary word, but it doesn’t have to be a scary experience’
The engagement was planned around raising awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and highlighting the pioneering research, supported by Cancer Research UK, which is taking place at the hospital.
The couple hope to demonstrate how it is possible to live a full life while having treatment for cancer, and emphasise the essential role of families and friends in supporting a patient through the illness.
A source told The Telegraph: “Though every patient is different, one of the things they hope to demonstrate and witness is how people can go on living a full life during treatment, not just after it.
“Cancer can be a scary word, but it doesn’t have to be a scary experience.”
The visit marks the King’s first day as the new patron of Cancer Research UK.
He continues to receive treatment for cancer as an outpatient at a hospital, which will not be named for security reasons.
‘Forthcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary’
On Friday April 26, it was announced that he would return to some public duties with his medical team “sufficiently pleased” with the progress of his treatment.
During the engagement, the King and Queen were due to meet Baroness Neuberger, chairman of University London College Hospitals (UCLH), and David Probert, its chief executive. They will also be introduced to clinicians to hear more about the “innovative” technology at the hospital, including CT scanners which are being used to help with the early detection of cancer.
The King, in his new role of patron, will meet Cancer Research UK’s chief clinician, Prof Charlie Swanton, who has led a project called TRACERx – a collaboration with 250 researchers and clinicians based at 19 centres across the UK, to investigate how lung cancer evolves.
The royal couple will then meet patients, their families, hospital staff and supporters of the UCLH Charity, Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK.
It is the King’s first public engagement since Buckingham Palace announced he would “return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis”.
A spokesman said: “His Majesty’s treatment programme 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.
“Forthcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary to minimise any risks to His Majesty’s continued recovery.”
The King has long been a vocal supporter of research into cancer and care of patients. In 1999, he spoke at the launch of Macmillan’s “A Voice for Life” Initiative, and in 2021 he wrote an article in The Telegraph, as patron of Macmillan, on the challenges faced by those with cancer during Covid-19.
Since 2008, the Queen has been president of Maggie’s which provides expert care and support, for free, in centres across the UK and online. She has visited 17 of its centres so far.
The University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre welcomed its first patients in April 2012. The centre provides facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of cancer and non-cancer conditions, while supporting patients and their families.
Macmillan donated £10 million towards the centre. The King has been the charity’s patron since 1997.
King meets cancer patients as he returns to official duties
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