King Charles Meets Patients During Treatment

King Charles made a heartfelt and unusual gesture during a visit to a cancer center in York as he continues his own cancer treatment.

On May 26, the 77-year-old monarch toured the newly redeveloped Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Cancer Centre at York Hospital, where he met with staff, patients and contributors involved in the center’s expansion project. The facility, currently nearing completion following a $3.2 million refurbishment, includes a therapeutic garden designed to offer patients and visitors a peaceful place surrounded by nature.

During the visit, the King was seen warmly greeting attendees in the garden, sharing a hug and cheek kisses with one woman — a rare public display of affection for the monarch. While younger members of the royal family often engage in more casual interactions with the public, such moments are less common for King Charles.

The visit also highlighted the importance of discussing cancer openly. Speaking with Louise Rhodes, a patient representative living with stage 4 breast cancer, the King reflected on how widespread the illness has become after learning that her father died from cancer in 2024.

“It’s everywhere. It’s so important to be able to talk,” he reportedly said.

The King also praised Macmillan Cancer Support, an organization he has supported for decades as patron.

“They are amazing, and I’m delighted to have been patron for a very long time,” he said.

Rhodes later described the meeting as deeply meaningful, saying she and the King connected immediately through their shared experiences as cancer patients.

“The King was just lovely, so personable, so friendly,” she said in remarks to the BBC. “He’s got cancer, I’ve got cancer, and there was that understanding straight away. I think he truly understands what it means to be a patient.”

King Charles has served as patron of Macmillan Cancer Support since 1997. The charity provides information, emotional guidance and practical assistance to people affected by cancer across hospitals and communities in the U.K.

The organization has held particular significance during the King’s own health journey. In April 2024, shortly after Buckingham Palace announced his cancer diagnosis, his first public engagement was a visit to a Macmillan Cancer Centre in London.

The palace revealed in February 2024 that the King had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer following treatment for an enlarged prostate, while clarifying that he did not have prostate cancer. He subsequently began regular treatment and temporarily stepped back from public-facing duties.

After returning to work later that spring, the King used his appearances to raise awareness about early detection and cancer research, including efforts supported by Cancer Research U.K., where he also holds patronage.

Despite ongoing treatment, he has maintained an active schedule, including overseas tours and meetings with fellow cancer patients. In March 2025, Buckingham Palace confirmed he experienced temporary side effects related to treatment that required brief hospital observation.

By December 2025, the King shared encouraging news, announcing that his treatment schedule would be reduced in the new year due to positive progress.

Although Buckingham Palace has not described his condition as being in remission, officials have indicated that his recovery has reached a notably hopeful stage. Reports suggest the King has continued receiving regular treatment since his diagnosis was made public in early 2024.