Queen Camilla has told ‘workaholic’ King Charles to ‘slow down’ in the wake of his recent health scare, with the 75-year-old set to attend hospital this week.
The Queen, 76, told well-wishers over the weekend that her husband was ‘fine’ as he awaits an operation for an enlarged prostate.
Charles has gained a reputation for being dedicated to his work and packed 2023 full of engagements – with one tally suggesting he undertook 516 over the course of the year including 94 abroad.
He had to immediately cancel all public duties on the advice of doctors last week after his symptoms were spotted and he was diagnosed with the benign condition.
The Palace said His Majesty would be undertaking ‘a short period of recuperation,’ which is expected to last around a month. But now, an insider has claimed that the Queen has urged him to take a new approach to his work.
Speaking to The Sun, they said: ‘The Queen has told him he needs to slow down a bit.’
The King has kept up his workload after he acceded to the throne 16 months ago and had his coronation at Westminster Abbey last May after more than 70 years as heir.
Palace aides have worked to ensure that he and Camilla are not overloaded as they adjust to life on the throne.
One insider recently suggested that the Queen has struggled with the increased pace of her work.
Meanwhile, the transition is said to have left the King feeling ‘anxious’, according to another source, cited by The Telegraph.
Royal biographer Robert Jobson said that the King is ‘a grafter’ and ‘has always had an innate sense of duty and tried his best to justify his good fortune by working tirelessly to improve the lot of others less fortunate than himself’.
While Camilla has continued with her back-to-back schedule, the King’s public duties are now on hold as he recovers at his Sandringham Estate.
His Majesty will be admitted to an unidentified hospital to be treated this week.
Camilla also said last week that the King was ‘fine’, adding that he is ‘looking forward to getting back to work’ despite the shock diagnosis.
In the 2018 BBC documentary Prince, Son and Heir, Prince William said: ‘The man never stops.
‘When we were kids there were bags and bags and bags of work that the office just sent to him.’
Prince Harry also shared the feeling that their father should ‘slow down’ a bit.
Announcing Charles’ diagnosis last week, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said : ‘In common with thousands of men each year, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate.
‘His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure. The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.’
The King and Queen Camilla were at his Scottish home Birkhall when they received the shock news, just after it was disclosed that the Princess of Wales was in hospital.
The couple were flown more than 300 miles on Friday on an RAF jet from Aberdeen Airport to RAF Marham before being driven the final 15 miles to Sandringham.
Buckingham Palace shared the news about the King’s procedure just 90 minutes after Kensington Palace said Kate had undergone abdominal surgery and would spend two weeks in hospital.
The Princess of Wales was admitted to the private London Clinic hospital on Tuesday for successful abdominal surgery, which Kensington Palace said was planned.
She is said to be ‘doing well’ but is expected to remain in the exclusive clinic for ten to 14 days, and is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter.