King Charles admits he 'lost his sense of taste' amid cancer treatment in heartbreaking health update

King Charles admits he 'lost his sense of taste' amid cancer treatment in heartbreaking health update

WATCH NOW: King Charles has handed over a senior military role to his son

GB News
Dorothy Reddin

By Dorothy Reddin


Published: 13/05/2024

- 18:44

The monarch announced he was diagnosed with a form of cancer in February

King Charles admitted he "lost his sense of taste" amid his cancer treatment in a heartbreaking health update today.

The 75-year-old monarch was speaking to British Army veteran Aaron Mapplebeck while visiting the Army Flying Museum in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, this afternoon.


Mapplebeck said he underwent chemotherapy last year for testicular cancer and lost his sense of taste.

The King revealed this had also happened to him.

King Charles

King Charles made a heartbreaking health update today

Getty

Buckingham Palace has not yet confirmed details of the King's treatment, with royal officials saying he is being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer.

Charles arrived today by helicopter for a special ceremony with Prince William where he officially handed over command of Prince Harry's former regiment.

The monarch bestowed the prestigious position of Colonel-in-Chief of The Army Air Corps to his heir at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire.

William will represent the Army's airborne wing, including his brother's former unit, 662 Squadron.

King Charles

King Charles stepping out today in Middle Wallop, Hampshire today​

PA

Harry served in the regiment as an Apache helicopter pilot in Afghanistan, and it was widely thought he would have taken the role until he made the decision to step back from royal life in 2020.

The rare joint engagement for Charles and William came on the same day Harry jetted home from his tour in Nigeria with his wife Meghan Markle.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to land at London Heathrow later today before heading back to Los Angeles and their £12million Montecito mansion.

Last Tuesday, Buckingham Palace announced Charles would officially hand over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to William at the Army Aviation Centre, where Harry previously learnt to fly.

King Charles and Prince William

King Charles III and the Prince of Wales at the Army Aviation Centre

PA

King Charles and Prince William

King Charles photographed beside his eldest son Prince William

PA

The change was announced last August following the Coronation in May as part of several new military appointments. The King held the post himself for 31 years.

Today, the King was met by a Guard of Honour and Lieutenant General Sir Nicholas Borton, Colonel Commandant of the Army Air Corps, before meeting veterans and their families at the base.

He handed over the role of Colonel-in-Chief in front of an Apache attack helicopter, the kind co-piloted by Harry in Afghanistan, in front of the Middle Wallop Control Tower.

Charles said: "I do hope you'll go from strength to strength... with the Prince of Wales as your new Colonel-in-Chief. The great thing is he's a very good pilot indeed... I can't tell you how proud it has made me to have been involved with you all this time."

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