King Charles’ devastating statement in horror over year ahead

King Charles III's first full year on the throne has been one of the most dramatic in modern royal history, with a year full of heartbreaking health battles for the royals

If 1992 was Queen Elizabeth II's 'annus horribilis' or 'horrible year', then 2024 is set to be a year King Charles III would rather forget. In February, just nine months after his Coronation, Buckingham Palace announced the sombre news that His Majesty had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer, discovered during treatment for an enlarged prostate, but not related to prostate cancer. At the same time, his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, had temporarily stepped back from public duties while recovering from abdominal surgery.

However, in a shocking twist mirroring the King's own health scare, her situation turned out to be far more serious. After weeks of speculation about her health, Kate revealed in a video released by Kensington Palace in March that post-op tests had detected cancer. "My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment," she disclosed, as reported by OK!. The revelation sent shockwaves around the globe.

Now, with Kate having completed her cancer treatment and King Charles responding positively to his treatment plan, Royal expert Duncan Larcombe suggests the family will be looking to put their troubles behind them. "It's been a lousy year for them. Health issues have dominated the news agenda and hundreds of royal engagements have been cancelled," he comments. "They weren't the only royals blighted by ill health, either. The Duchess of York revealed she was receiving treatment for skin cancer, so soon after beating breast cancer."

"This time last year, the King would have been horrified if he knew what lay ahead. It's a year he'll want to consign to the history books and move on from. Christmas will be an opportunity for the royals to rally together. They don't meet up very often as a family in private. Gathering at Sandringham means they can shut out the rest of the world, focus on what's important and look ahead to new beginnings." Royal author Robert Jobson concurs, noting that health scares within the family have tightened their bond and highlighted their vulnerability: "The cancer issues have brought the royals closer together and made them realise their own mortality – that life is fragile no matter who you are."

The effect on other royals, particularly the Queen and the Prince of Wales, is significant, despite their composed public personas, Jobson adds. "The royals might give the impression of keeping calm and carrying on but this has affected them all – doubly so for William. He was crestfallen when he heard the news about his father and, as heir to the throne, he had to face up to what this might mean for his position. And then to hear about his wife, it was all very grim and very difficult for him to deal with. But he had to go out into the public, as did Camilla, and he handled it very well."

His Majesty himself has spoken candidly about his cancer battle, describing the diagnosis as a "shock" and sharing how he was "reduced to tears" by the outpouring of support. This level of openness signifies a more modern monarchy, suggests commentator Duncan. "It represents a shift in the way our royals are dealing with the kind of private issues that they would never have spoken about in the past," he says. "It's the end of their old adage 'never explain, never complain'. The King and Kate were both forced to explain precisely what was happening."

Before Kate disclosed her diagnosis, wild theories about her wellbeing were circulating and #WhereIsKate? was trending online. "I think Kate and William felt hurt, frustrated and angered by the cruel trolling," Duncan adds. "Kate's probably had moments when she's been very frightened. We know people can survive cancer, we also know cancer can kill. What a horrible time to be attacked by a barrage of conspiracy theories and rumours. People forget: they are humans first and royals second."

Robert says Kate's candid health updates, including her video in September in which she confirmed her treatment had finished, have generated a wave of empathy. "Her video messages have been extremely emotional and personal, which is unusual for the royals. A lot of people warmed to her, even those who may not have been particularly enamoured by her before. Ever since the Meghan and Harry days, people had taken sides. There's now a unified voice of support behind Catherine. "She's only 42. When this happens to young women there's a lot of concern. Having to explain to her children that 'things are a bit difficult for mummy', well, those young children must have been devastated. She has faced up to immense challenges and has dealt with them very bravely. She has put her family first and concentrated on making sure her children are okay.

"Not being able to give visible support to her Early Years work will have disappointed her. But, quite rightly, she has prioritised getting well and has focused on her family and loved ones." While the King went back to public engagements after his Easter break in Balmoral, Kate took a more gradual, cautious return, with appearances at Trooping the Colour in June and at the Wimbledon Championships men's singles final in July. Knowing the scrutiny she'd face, her composure, says Robert, is testament to her emotional strength.

"All eyes were on her, especially at Trooping the Colour, trying to see if there was anything different about her because of her treatment. How was her hair? What was her weight like? Being on public display is stressful at the best of times – she can't just run to the school gates in her trackie bottoms. People are watching all the time. But given the circumstances with her health, it must be extremely difficult to be examined and put under that pressure. Her hair has to be perfect, otherwise people start asking questions."

Many who have battled cancer insist it permanently transforms your life. "I'm sure there will be a change in Catherine," Robert observed, adding: "You can already tell there's a difference about the King. When he visited the Macmillan Cancer Centre at University College London Hospital in April, on his first public-facing engagement, we saw him being very tactile. I've noticed he's far more open and warmer in the way he interacts with people, particularly others with illness." He also noted, "When the royals meet up as a family this Christmas, I'm sure there'll be a few raised glasses," muses Robert. "They'll be thanking God and their lucky stars that King Charles and Catherine are still with us."