King Charles confirms first major event since cancer diagnosis

King Charles is set to join members of his family at the annual Easter church service at Windsor Castle this weekend amid his ongoing cancer treatment.

The monarch, 75, went public with his diagnosis in early February and has been keeping a low public profile since then, although he has continued with state business from his residence.

On Tuesday, Buckingham Palace confirmed that he would be in attendance at the St George’s Chapel service on Easter Sunday, where he will be joined by his wife Queen Camilla along with other royal family members.

However, there are likely to be two high-profile absences, Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales, in the wake of the recent announcement of her own cancer diagnosis.

The couple is reportedly enjoying a private family holiday with their three children: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, who are currently on a school break.

Neither Kate’s nor Charles’ form of cancer has been publicly disclosed.

In a statement released on February 5, the Palace revealed that the cancer had been discovered as a “separate issue of concern,” following Charles’ treatment for a benign prostate enlargement in January.

The statement confirmed he would “postpone public-facing duties,” but continue to “undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.”

Earlier this week, it emerged that Kate was encouraged to reveal her own diagnosis after witnessing the support her father-in-law received in the wake of his news.

“A factor in [the] decision to go public would have been the great warmth and affection received by the King as a result of his announcement,” a royal source told the UK’s Times.

“It meant a huge amount to him.”

The King even travelled from London to Windsor Castle for a private lunch with his “beloved daughter-in-law,” on Thursday, just one day before she shared her news with the world.

“It is highly unusual for just the two of them to sit down together like this,” a palace insider told The Sun, adding that the King had already been told of her condition and was there to offer support.

“The King left his lunch feeling very emotional,” the source said.

“They are very close and he thinks of Catherine as his daughter. There is no doubt there is a lot they can share and can use each other for support during their own deeply personal cancer battles.”