King Charles III Shares He’s Lost His Sense of Taste Amid Cancer Treatment
King Charles III Shares He’s Lost His Sense of Taste Amid Cancer Treatment
King Charles III is sharing more information about the side effects of his cancer treatment after being diagnosed with an unnamed form of the disease in February.
King Charles III’s health journey continues.
Since sharing he’d been diagnosed with an unnamed form of cancer in February, the British monarch has kept many details surrounding his health private in the months since. However during a recent visit to the Army Flying Museum in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, Charles shared further details about his treatment.
During his May 13 visit to the Museum, Charles was speaking with a British Army veteran named Aaron Mapplebeck who told the royal family member that he’d lost his sense of taste while undergoing treatment for cancer last year. During their conversation, per The Daily Mail, Charles confirmed he too had lost his sense of taste during the course of his treatment, though he didn’t share whether the effects were temporary.
The 75-year-old’s visit to the Army Flying Museum comes amid his recent return to public facing duties. Though he’d taken a step back following his initial diagnosis, allowing time for treatment and recovery, on April 30 Charles visited London’s University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre with Queen Camilla by his side.
During the visit, the couple were seen smiling as they met with patients and medical staff, as well as a young well-wisher who presented the king with a bouquet of flowers. The event also served as an opportunity to announce Charles as the new patron of Cancer Research UK, a position he is taking over from the late Queen Elizabeth II.
![King Charles, March 2024](https://akns-images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/202439/rs_1024x759-240409151843-1024-king-charles-2024.jpg?fit=around%7C1024:759&output-quality=90&crop=1024:759;center,top)
When announcing Charles’ return to public duties April 26, Buckingham Palace also shared His Majesty is “very grateful to his medical team for their continued care and expertise.”
The Palace also expressed Charles’ and Camilla’s appreciation for the support the royal family has received amid the many health updates they’ve shared this year, including Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis.
“Their Majesties remain deeply grateful,” the statement continued, “for the many kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world throughout the joys and challenges of the past year.”
For more news on the royal families, in the United Kingdom and around the world, keep reading.
![King Charles, Queen Camilla, April 2024](https://akns-images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/2024326/rs_1024x759-240426102635-1024-king-charles-camilla-2024.jpg?fit=around%7C1024:759&output-quality=90&crop=1024:759;center,top)
Returning to Public Duties
On April 26, nearly three months after sharing his cancer diagnosis, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles will return to public-facing duties.
![Queen Camilla, The Royal Maundy Service](https://akns-images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/2024228/cr_1024x759-240328130639-GettyImages-2120062208.jpg?fit=around%7C1024:759&output-quality=90&crop=1024:759;center,top)
Queen Camilla Attends Royal Maundy Service
The queen consort attended the Royal Maundy Service on March 28 in place of King Charles III, making her the first spouse of the Monarch to continue the ancient tradition.
![Kate Middleton, Catherine Princess of Wales, health announcement, BBC](https://akns-images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/2024222/rs_1024x576-240322105956-Catherine-Princess-Wales-BBC-Studios.jpg?fit=around%7C1024:576&output-quality=90&crop=1024:576;center,top)
Kate Middleton Shares Cancer Diagnosis
In a March 22 video message, the Princess of Wales shared that she’d been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery in January.
“It was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful,” she said before noting that tests after the operation found cancer had been present. “My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.”
![Kate Middleton](https://akns-images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/2024211/rs_634x1024-240311043603-KateGallpic.jpg?fit=around%7C634:1024&output-quality=90&crop=634:1024;center,top)
Kate Middleton Apologizes for Edited Family Photo Controversy
After photo agencies pulled the picture Kensington Palace shared of Kate since having her abdominal surgery on March 10, the Princess of Wales addressed claims the photo was doctored.
“Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,” she tweeted on March 11. “I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C.”
Princess Diana‘s niece celebrated Mother’s Day in the U.K. by sharing she and her husband Michael Lewis privately welcomed their first baby.
“It’s the joy of my life to be your mummy, little one. I love you unconditionally,” she captioned her March 10 Instagram post. “Happy Mother’s Day to those who celebrate today.”
![Queen Camilla, February 2024](https://akns-images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/202428/cr_625x1024-240308194111-Camilla_GettyImages-2018088511.jpg?fit=around%7C625:1024&output-quality=90&crop=625:1024;center,top)
![King Charles III, The London Clinic, 2024](https://akns-images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/2024029/cr_634x1024-240129121113-GettyImages-1970755280.jpg?fit=around%7C634:1024&output-quality=90&crop=634:1024;center,top)
King Charles Diagnosed With Cancer
While King Charles III was in the hospital for his benign prostate enlargement procedure, the royal family member was diagnosed with cancer.
“His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties,” Buckingham Palace said Feb. 5. “Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”
![King Charles III](https://akns-images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/2024017/rs_1024x759-240117081758-CHarlesGall.jpg?fit=around%7C1024:759&output-quality=90&crop=1024:759;center,top)
King Charles III Undergoing Treatment
Shortly after Kate’s hospitalization was made public, Buckingham Palace shared that Charles “has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate.”
“His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure,” the statement added. “The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.”