Joanna Lumley says King Charles 'really is ill' as she praises him for being 'exceptionally brave'
King Charles was diagnosed with cancer last year
Dame Joanna Lumley has spoken out with admiration and concern for “ill” King Charles, calling the monarch “exceptionally brave” as he continues to battle cancer.
The Absolutely Fabulous star, 79, who is a long-standing royalist and recipient of a damehood, offered her heartfelt tribute in a new interview with Saga Magazine.
During the interview, the actress praised the king’s resilience and unwavering work ethic.
“He’s exceptionally brave, because he really is ill,” Joanna said. “But practically nobody can keep up with him. He packs so much into every day, he walks faster than anybody I’ve ever met. He’s incredible.”
What disease is King Charles suffering from?
In February 2024, Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles, 76, had been diagnosed with cancer.
The specific type of cancer has not been disclosed. It was discovered during treatment for an enlarged prostate earlier in the year.
He’s exceptionally brave, because he really is ill.
Palace sources have described his condition as being managed privately.
Despite his diagnosis, Charles continues to carry out his duties, a level of commitment Joanna admires.
Joanna Lumley praises King Charles
Joanna’s admiration for the monarch extends far beyond his recent health challenges. She described King Charles as having already left a profound legacy even before taking the throne.
“He was the most brilliant Prince of Wales we will ever see, without being cruel to Prince William,” she explained. “Because he had the role for so long. The Prince’s Trust was set up when he was in his twenties. What a far-thinking thing to do!”
The Prince’s Trust, founded in 1976, has since supported over a million young people across the UK, helping them access education, employment, and business opportunities.
Joanna, who has met both King Charles and Queen Camilla, also spoke warmly about the queen, describing her as a “golden, fabulous person”.
She acknowledged how difficult the public scrutiny had been for Camilla in the past, particularly during the breakdown of Charles’ marriage to Princess Diana.
“So much mud was flung,” Joanna recalled. “But now she goes about her job without any rancour.”
Joanna on the royals
Joanna also reflected emotionally on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The actress received her dame title in the New Year Honours of 2022. It was among the last issued by the late queen before her death nine months later.
Joanna praised the queen’s grace during her final days. She noted her composure and sense of duty right up to her last public engagement.
She said we, as the public, “never saw her use a wheelchair” even though the queen was “very frail”.
Joanna said the late monarch left us “gracefully”.
In 2021, the actress released A Queen for All Seasons, a tribute book filled with stories from people who encountered the queen during her reign, from statesmen to schoolchildren, and even rock stars.
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