Camilla opens up on having to keep King Charles’ cancer diagnosis a secret: ‘I was longing to let it out’

Laura Elston Wed, August 19, 2026 at 6:41 AM UTC

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The Queen has reflected publicly for the first time on the emotional strain of keeping the King’s cancer diagnosis private prior to the official announcement.

Attending a public engagement at a Maggie’s cancer support facility in 2024, Camilla carried out her duties in full knowledge of Charles’s condition, just days before the news was released to the world.

Her thoughts on managing the troubling diagnosis behind closed doors were shared in a short film produced jointly by Buckingham Palace and Maggie’s to mark the charity’s 30th anniversary.

Describing the experience two years ago as "quite difficult", the Queen admitted to "longing to let it out", before adding: "obviously I couldn’t".

She acknowledged that she "almost said something", yet determined that the timing was not right.

Camilla admitted she wanted to tell people about the diagnosis (@RoyalFamily/Buckingham Palace)

Camilla also reflected on supporting her "poor husband", observing how the King chose to focus on his work following his diagnosis as his personal method of dealing with the situation.

"Nothing stopped him. He just said ‘This is my way. I’m going to cope with it’," she said.

Maggie’s chief executive Dame Laura Lee, who engaged in conversation with Camilla at Clarence House for the video, commended the Queen for her fortitude during that 2024 visit.

Serving as president of Maggie’s, Camilla officially launched the charity's new centre at London's Royal Free Hospital on January 31 2024, at a time when the King was recovering after undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.

As revealed in the video, Charles had already been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer by the time of the event, ahead of the formal palace statement issued five days later on February 5.

The health of the 77-year-old monarch, who is still receiving cancer treatment, is reported to be continuing in a very positive direction. Towards the end of last year, Charles noted it was a "personal blessing" that his schedule of treatment was being reduced.

Reflecting on the visit, the Queen stated: "I remember coming to see a Maggie’s just after the King being diagnosed. Nobody could say anything at the time. That was quite difficult. I almost said something but, you know, I felt that it wasn’t the time to say.

"(I) looked at everybody who was suffering and all the relations and I think it made me realise even more how important these places were."

Dame Laura Lee (right) commended Camilla for the strength she showed during the difficult period in 2024 (Getty)

During the recorded discussion, Dame Laura remarked to the Queen: "It was just a week before it became public and the courage that must have taken for you…"

Camilla responded: "Well it wasn’t… I was just longing to let it out but obviously I couldn’t."

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Speaking about her interactions with visitors during the engagement, she said: "I was almost questioning them. I didn’t want to pry too deeply.

"But normally when I went in, I was just talking to them, but I don’t know, I felt it was much more deep."

Dame Laura highlighted the growing number of visitors seeking support at their centres following the King’s willingness to speak openly while maintaining a productive schedule, noting a 12% increase in male visitors to Maggie’s locations.

Charles returned to public-facing duties in April 2024, under three months after his treatment commenced.

Known as a committed workaholic, the King had previously been described by the Queen as someone who "won’t slow down and won’t do what he’s told", even after receiving his diagnosis.

In Wednesday’s video, which was made available on YouTube, she said: "Look at my husband. Nothing stopped him. He just said ‘This is my way. I’m going to cope with it’."

She added: "It made me realise even more how important these places were.

Charles returned to public-facing duties under three months after his treatment commenced (PA)

"It had never really come back to roost at home, and suddenly your husband is diagnosed, and you think ‘Goodness I’ve been talking to all these people and now I’m the one with some relation who’s got to help to look after my poor husband and try and understand it all."

The seven-minute film was recorded by the Queen to highlight the vital assistance Maggie’s offers cancer patients, alongside promoting resources available for relatives and encouraging men who might feel reluctant to seek help.

She further called for every hospital to feature a Maggie’s centre.

Dame Laura praised Camilla, who has served as president of the charity since 2008, for speaking "powerfully of her own emotions" and displaying a "natural response" as a wife, while also praising the King for his openness.

She said: "To hear her speak so powerfully of her own emotions when visiting our Royal Free centre, while knowing about His Majesty’s diagnosis, is a huge honour.

"The King’s openness about his diagnosis has undoubtedly helped others to be more open themselves and to now hear the Queen’s completely understandable and natural response as a wife shines a light on why it is so important that family and friends also get the support they need."

Operating 27 facilities across the UK built within the grounds of major NHS cancer hospitals, Maggie’s provides support to hundreds of thousands of individuals annually.

The organisation delivers comprehensive care for those affected by cancer, offering free psychological, emotional and practical support through drop-in sessions that require no appointments.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”