Queen Camilla provides new health update on King Charles at cancer centre
The Queen was opening the new cancer centre
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The Queen has said King Charles is 'doing very well' as she opened a new cancer centre on Tuesday.
The 76-year-old was opening the Dyson Cancer Centre at the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath, adding that it had a welcoming atmosphere that "lifted people’s spirits."
It comes seven months after the King was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer following surgery for an enlarged prostate.
King Charles is still undergoing treatment however he was cleared by his medical team to return to public duties back in April.
The Queen was opening the new cancer centre
PA
The Queen meeting royal fans in Bath
PA
The Queen was in jovial spirits at the centre, making references to the fact that she has advised her workaholic husband to "behave himself" and slow down, but that he does not listen.
Suzy Moon of the Macmillan Partnership asked after the King’s health. The Queen replied: "He is doing very well."
She also spoke to Paul Holdway, a 55-year-old nurse who is undergoing a stem cell transplant to treat blood cancer. Asked how he was feeling, he replied: “I am feeling very tired."
The Queen jokingly responded: "Men won’t admit it", a reference to her husband.
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The new Dyson Cancer Centre
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The new centre, which includes a research hub, chemotherapy and radiotherapy services and a 22-bed in-patient ward, opened in April after more than £10 million was donated by thousands of people and Government funding provided £40 million.
The Queen gave an impromptu speech, after unveiling a plaque to mark her visit, telling medical staff, senior trust management and supporters: "Can I congratulate all of you on this wonderful centre.
"I’ve had a very brief tour around but everybody I’ve met, whether its patients or families or the nursing staff and the helpers, all seem to be over the moon about it.
"It’s got a very welcoming atmosphere, and you can see that it actually raises people’s spirits in very difficult times."
After his cancer diagnosis was announced on February 6, the King postponed all public-facing engagement but continued with his duties as head of state behind palace walls, conducting audiences and Privy Council meetings.
Charles resumed public events at the end of April when he visited a cancer treatment centre in London and described his “shock” at being diagnosed.