King Charles jokes about 'living long enough' on Italy trip amid his health woes
Charles and Camilla enjoyed a four day state visit to Italy!
King Charles has given a glimpse into his thoughts on his ongoing health battle during his Italy trip.
The monarch, 76, has been battling an undisclosed form of cancer since early last year. He has continued to uphold his duties despite enduring treatment. Although the king recently suffered a bout of ill health that left him hospitalised, he seems to be in good spirits.
His recent quip confirms that…
King Charles’ Italy trip
King Charles is often candid about some of the heavier topics, even his battle with cancer. The 76-year-old has enjoyed a trip to Italy this week.
On his final day yesterday, he met with representatives of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA) to hear more about their work in relation to biodiversity, climate and human health.
It was here he cracked a light-hearted joke.
Well I do hope that I shall live long enough to see a little bit of growth in the tree.
As part of his engagement, Charles planted a tree in the gardens of Villa Wolkonsky in Rome. The sapling was donated by President Mattarella from the Castelporziano Estate.
King Charles performed his personal ritual of waving the spade in the air once he had submerged the roots in soil.
He then turned to the British embassy staff gathered on the lawns and made a quip.
He said: “Well I do hope that I shall live long enough to see a little bit of growth in the tree.”
The assembled crowd clapped and cheered at Charles’ display.
The monarch, who has been receiving ongoing treatment for cancer, then said “one more,” in reference to his work planting the sapling.
The king also unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion. In true Charles nature, he then pointed out his tree “needs a bit of water”.
What health condition does King Charles have?
King Charles shared his cancer diagnosis on February 5, 2024.
The cancer was discovered during a procedure for a benign enlarged prostate. However, the type of cancer is not prostate cancer.
Since then, King Charles has been receiving regular treatment as an outpatient.
Although Charles recently had a stint at the London Clinic Hospital in London, due to side effects caused by his treatment, he seems to be more than optimistic about his health.
So much so, he can see the humour in quipping about it.
The side effects King Charles suffered were described as “temporary” and “not uncommon” with many medical treatments.
Upon his hospitalisation on March 27, Buckingham Palace released a statement.
They said: “Tomorrow, he was due to undertake four public engagements in Birmingham and is greatly disappointed to be missing them on this occasion.
“He very much hopes that they can be rescheduled in due course and offers his deepest apologies to all those who had worked so hard to make the planned visit possible.”
A palace source described it as a “most minor bump in a road that is very much heading in the right direction”.
The king later returned to his residence, Clarence House, and was said to be “feeling good”.
Read more: Queen Camilla’s rare comment about marriage to King Charles after waiting 35 years to get married
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