King Charles's cancer treatment set to continue next year as recovery remains 'positive'

The source added there is a sense of optimism, which can be seen in the King's desire to keep up a busy schedule of public engagements, including during the festive period.

Buckingham Palace announced in February that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer and was beginning a course of treatment.

Very early on, the monarch personally took the decision to share his diagnosis, and his experience, in the hope it may help others.

But he deliberately did not confirm the type of cancer he was being treated to not detract from the significance of other forms of the illness.

It is also unclear what type of treatment he has specifically had, but he has regularly been in London for private appointments.

Dame Laura Lee, chief executive of the cancer support charity Maggie's, of which Queen Camilla is patron, told Sky News: "It's very common for treatment to be ongoing for very long periods of time, as is the treatment that the Princess of Wales went through, which is an intense period of treatment over a year, and then it comes to a point where it's on an end, and she's on that recovery from some of the impacts of her treatment.

"So we've got immunotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, hormone therapy.

"There are all sorts of different treatment modalities. And so it's not surprising at all."

Speaking more widely about the openness of both the King and the Princess of Wales, she continued to tell the publication: "What we've heard from our centre visitors, it's been good that they haven't just shone a light on one specific cancer type, but they've shone a light on cancer as a whole, and that there's varying treatment and varying impacts and varying different ways of navigating the challenges that cancer bring.

"And I think that approach has been much more effective and positive for the cancer community.

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"I know firsthand that everyone is so grateful to them for doing that."

Later, the King and Queen will carry out their last big public engagement before they begin their Christmas break, meeting local community volunteers, young people, emergency services, and faith representatives in Waltham Forest.

Their visit comes as Palace sources said "the intention is for the monarch to return to a full programme of public duties next year".

Planning for the first half of the year is set to involve "an exciting mix of national and international events".