Last week, King Charles appeared in Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer broadcast with a pre-recorded message, and he shocked viewers by opening up about his ongoing cancer treatment. In it, he revealed the “good news” that his cancer treatment would “be reduced in the New Year”—and according to royal expert Richard Kay, the monarch was sending a “hidden message” to critics with this announcement.
As Richard explained to the Daily Mail, Charles’ message was likely a response to the “chatter around the Royal Family and the monarchy over the last few months,” a lot of which has revolved around “kind of monarch Prince William is going to make and what kind of changes he might be introducing when he gets his opportunity.”
Per Richard, Charles’ cancer treatment update “was just a little reminder [from] the King saying, ‘Hello, I’m still here. I’m not going anywhere. And while I’m King, we’re going to do it my way.’” He added, “I think that might just slap down one or two people who have been a little forward in their views.”
Charles first announced he had been diagnosed with cancer in February 2024. Ahead of the holidays last year, palace sources noted that “his treatment has been moving in a positive direction and as a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into next year,” but the King seemingly had a setback in March 2025, when he was briefly hospitalized due to side effects from his ongoing treatment.
By April, insiders told Harper’s Bazaar that—while there are no plans for Charles to abdicate—the royals have been preparing for William to become King “earlier than expected” for years now.
This ^^^ all comes amid reports that the monarch has been quietly preparing himself for what might be his “last Christmas” due to the fact that “his health isn’t the best”—and though his treatment will be “reduced” in 2026, he is not totally in the clear yet. A spokesperson for the King later told CNN that “His Majesty has responded exceptionally well to treatment and his doctors advise that ongoing measures will now move into a precautionary phase.”
The spokesperson added, “This position will be continuously monitored and reviewed to protect and prioritize his continued recovery.”
