King Charles reveals true state of health in personal letters to friends

By Mieka Smiles, News Reporter

King Charles is a famously avid letter writer (Image: Getty)

King Charles has revealed his mindset as he battles cancer in heartfelt letters to friends. The King is a famously avid letter writer - and this long held habit hasn’t stopped during his health challenge.

Friends of the UK monarch say that the letters reveal his “somewhat battered health” but also a “determination” to beat the condition.

A friend of the King said: “I hear determination that he doesn’t want to let it slow him down, a pragmatic acceptance of the changes that have had to be made to his programme, and an absolute desire to get back to full speed,” reports The Times today, Saturday, May 4.

A source also says that the King is chomping at the bit to get back to full throttle. They said he has been “frustrated” with another friend saying “he’s a b****y caged lion”.

The royal calendar is filling up - with the monarch reportedly wanting to travel to Normandy on June 6 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

The King and Queen on a recent visit to a Macmillan Cancer Centre (Image: Getty)

But Prince William is understood to fret about his “workaholic” father’s pace. A source close to the prince said: “He wants to make sure his father is balancing his recovery. He knows his dad loves work, but he does worry about him,” reports The Times.

King Charles was “thrilled” to return to public-facing duties, the Queen revealed last week and added that she’s “been trying to hold him back” during his cancer treatment.

Camilla, 76, made the comments as she welcomed 300 guests to Buckingham Palace on Wednesday afternoon to recognise those who support survivors of sexual assault. Guests included Carrie Johnson, Zara McDermott, Cherie Blair and Theresa May.

Next week it’s been reported that Prince Harry will be paying his father a visit when he touches down in the UK to attend a ceremony on Wednesday, May 8, at St Paul's Cathedral marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

Speaking to The Mirror, an inside source said: "Harry has kept in regular contact with his father on several occasions and made no secret of his desire to see him when he can.

“He has been especially concerned about him and hopes the King will be well and able to see him as planned."

Royal sources insisted that despite having a busy diary next week, Charles intends to see his estranged son.

Express.co.uk has approached Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace for comment.