Queen Camilla says she nearly broke silence over king’s cancer diagnosis
Queen Camilla has revealed she “almost said something” about King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis days before it was publicly announced.
Source: Associated Press · August 19, 2026 at 10:01 PM · AI-assisted report
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LONDON, 20 AUGUST 2026 —
Queen Camilla has revealed she “almost said something” about King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis days before it was publicly announced.
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In an eight-minute video released to mark the 30th anniversary of Maggie’s cancer support centres, Camilla said she felt unable to speak about the king’s condition during a visit to a Maggie’s centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London a week before the February 5 announcement. The king disclosed he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, breaking with the royal family’s tradition of keeping health matters private.
“Nobody could say anything at that time. That was quite difficult,” Camilla said. “I almost said something but, you know, I felt that it wasn’t the time to say.”
Camilla has served as president of Maggie’s since 2008. The charity runs 27 centres across the UK offering information, counselling and practical support to cancer patients and their families. In the video conversation with Maggie’s chief executive Laura Lee, Camilla said she better understood the need for such services after Charles’s diagnosis.
Lee told the queen the number of men visiting Maggie’s centres has risen 12% since the king’s announcement. The charity’s support is credited with helping patients “overcome their fears and continue living while undergoing treatment.”
Recent updates on the king say his health is moving in a positive direction as he continues therapy. Camilla reflected on the king’s resilience, saying, “Look at my husband, nothing stopped him. He just said, ‘This is my way. I’m going to cope with it.’”