How Has King Charles III Managed Royal Duties Amid Health Challenges?

AFP

London: King Charles III celebrated his 76th birthday on Thursday, maintaining his commitment to royal duties despite a challenging year marked by health issues.

Diagnosed with an undisclosed cancer earlier in February, he returned to his public duties within months and even resumed foreign travels, pausing treatment temporarily to attend the Commonwealth summit in Australia and Samoa.

Recently, he led significant national observances, including a commemoration for fallen British soldiers and hosted events celebrating British film and TV.

Charles’s birthday was observed with traditional gun salutes, and he continued his work by visiting a new facility under his “Coronation Food Project” to reduce food waste.

Charles’s family has faced personal hardships, notably estrangement from his younger son, Prince Harry, and public scrutiny of his and Prince William’s finances.

Adding to the strain were serious health concerns: both he and his daughter-in-law Catherine battled cancer diagnoses, with Catherine concluding chemotherapy in September and gradually resuming her royal engagements.

Prince William recently spoke about the family’s difficulties, expressing pride in both his father and wife for their resilience during what he described as a “brutal” year.