The King will not carry out royal engagements for at least a month as he continues to recover from surgery in hospital. Charles underwent a procedure for an enlarged prostate on Friday at The London Clinic and remains there, with the Queen paying him two visits yesterday.
Treatment is understood to have been a success but there will now be a “period of recuperation” for the 75-year-old King. Aides have been told he will be available for state matters while in hospital and can attend to red boxes with Government papers when he is discharged.
But they have also removed engagements from his diary until the end of February to allow him to regain full strength before a return to full duties in March. Yesterday Queen Camilla was full of smiles at the hospital in central London, arriving by car just before midday.
She appeared to be in high spirits as she entered the hospital. It is the same one where the Princess of Wales, 42, is being cared for following abdominal surgery, and it is understood the Queen visited both patients. She said the King was “doing well” before leaving at 3.10pm on her first visit.
She left at 7.06pm on the second. Before surgery Charles too time to visit Kate, who is on the 12th day of her stay after undergoing a successful major operation last week.
Buckingham Palace said: “His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week.”
Referring to increased public awareness of men’s prostate problems as a result, the Palace added that the King was “delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness”.
If everything has gone as planned, Charles could even be discharged today. The Queen, who has made daily visits, has previously said he is “fine” and he just wants to get back to work. Kate is not expected to carry out official engagements until after Easter.
