King Charles’ will die “with” but not “of” cancer, a bombshell report claimed Saturday.
The report essentially confirms long-standing rumors that the king’s cancer is considered manageable but ultimately incurable, which is the case for many older individuals afflicted by the disease.
Charles is 76.
ADVERTISEMENT
The report will be unwelcome in the palace, as it will reignite speculation that the king’s health is in a delicate state, rumors that were rekindled when Prince Harry said in a recent BBC interview that he didn’t know how long his father had left to live.
Charles’ aides have consistently briefed reporters that he is, broadly speaking, winning his battle against cancer, and the king himself recently said he was on “the other side” of the health crisis.
The king is back to essentially running a full diary after being diagnosed with cancer last year, albeit with some modifications.
The report, by the respected royal writer and associate editor of the U.K. Daily Telegraph, Camilla Tominey, also claimed that Charles will never move into Buckingham Palace due to his health struggles.
“The talk now is that he may die ‘with’ cancer, but not ‘of’ cancer following a rigorous treatment program,” she wrote.
A spokesperson for the king declined to comment.
Tominey, who was the first to break the news about Prince Harry and Meghan dating and also about the latter’s row with Kate Middleton, added that planning for Charles’ 80th birthday in 2028, while “very tentative,” is going ahead.
Tominey also claimed that Charles and Harry could be publicly reunited at the Invictus Games, in Birmingham in 2027, with palace aides quietly investigating whether the event could provide a suitable backdrop for a long-awaited reconciliation.
It is understood officials hope any reconciliation would include Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The king last saw the children in 2022. Harry has said he can’t bring his family safely to the U.K. and hinted some powerful palace figures want him dead.
Intriguingly, Tominey suggests that a reconciliation might be considered because of the negative impact the narrative of estrangement is having on the king’s reputation.
She writes: “There is an awareness that the impasse cannot continue forever, not least if it starts to reflect badly on the king.”
Prince Harry said, in a bitter interview with the BBC following a comprehensive legal defeat on his security arrangements, that he does not know how long his cancer-hit father has left to live because the king won’t speak to him.
Harry also said he won’t bring his family to the U.K., blamed his father for his security being reduced after leaving the royal family, and said he had “forgiven” those family members who had hurt him.
He added, “Some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book but I would love reconciliation with my family.”
The prince continued, “There is a lot of control and ability in my father’s hands. Ultimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him.”
Appearing emotional, Harry said, “There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore. As I said, life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has. He won’t speak to me because of this security stuff, but it would be nice to reconcile.”
