King Charles 'frustrated' cancer recovery is taking 'little longer than he would want it to', says nephew Peter Phillips

24 March 2024, 16:11 | Updated: 24 March 2024, 16:16

King Charles 'frustrated' cancer recovery is taking 'little longer than he would want it to', says nephew Peter Phillips
King Charles 'frustrated' cancer recovery is taking 'little longer than he would want it to', says nephew Peter Phillips. Picture: Alamy

By Christian Oliver

King Charles is 'frustrated' that his cancer recovery is taking 'a little longer than he would want it to', his nephew has revealed.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Peter Phillips, son of Anne, the Princess Royal, said Charles was "in good spirits" and was "pushing" his staff to be able to return to duties in the coming months.

Mr Phillips, whose sister Zara is a former Olympian equestrian, said of his uncle: "I think ultimately he's hugely frustrated.

The king has been forced to take a step back from his Royal duties in recent weeks after it was publically announced he was undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer following treatment for an enlarged prostate.

The Princess Royal and Peter Phillips watch day four of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, March 15
The Princess Royal and Peter Phillips watch day four of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, March 15. Picture: Alamy

Read More: Kate 'wrote every word' of speech revealing cancer diagnosis and 'timed the announcement for her children'

Read More: Kate had 'emotional' private lunch with Charles as she sought advice before revealing cancer diagnosis to the world

In a televised interview Down Under, Mr Phillips told Sky News Australia: "He's frustrated that he can't get on and do everything that he wants to be able to do.

"But he is very pragmatic, he understands that there's a period of time that he really needs to focus on himself.

"But at the same time he is always pushing his staff and everybody - his doctors and nurses - to be able to say 'actually can I do this, can I do that?'"

It comes after it was revealed Friday that the Princess of Wales was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.

Mr Phillips added: "I think the overriding message would be that he's obviously very keen to get back to a form of normality and is probably frustrated that recovery is taking a little longer than probably he would want it to."

The son of Anne, 73, and her first husband Captain Mark Phillips, said during the interview on Australian television that his mother "leaves others to worry about column inches".

Mr Phillips said: "I think in the past she has not always been the media's favourite so to speak. But she's never really let that bother her.

"She just keeps her head down the whole time and keeps working away and leaves others to worry about column inches." The eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II added that it was "pretty remarkable" that his mother was still carrying out overseas trips in her 70s.

Then Prince Charles speaks with Kate, then the Duchess of Cambridge, as they arrive for the premiere of James Bond 'No Time To Die', September 28, 2021
Then Prince Charles speaks with Kate, then the Duchess of Cambridge, as they arrive for the premiere of James Bond 'No Time To Die', September 28, 2021. Picture: Alamy

Read More: King Charles hopes to lead Royals at 'Easter Lite' service in 'show of unity' amid his and Kate's cancer treatment

Read More: King Charles is "doing very well", Queen Camilla gives health update to well-wishers on Northern Ireland visit

Mr Phillips said the "work ethic" of his parents had been hugely influential for him and his sister Zara Tindall. He added: "Both of them are incredibly hard working and both in their 70s they're still working a lot harder than either of them probably expected.

"But then as my mother always says - from that perspective, they had pretty good role models from my grandparents who were still working in their 90s.

"So everyone has a huge amount to live up to and ultimately they all live by example."

He added that Anne "really valued" her home time to be able "to relax and just get to some form of normality".

Mr Phillips was on a visit to Australia to represent the International Foundation for Arts and Culture.

He said the royal family had a "huge affinity" with Australia, adding "all of us have friends over here".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate leave the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT)

'Retraumatised': UK Women who accused Andrew Tate of rape speak of 'disbelief' at news he has left Romania

Claudia Lawrence's home

Police failed to search hidden loft in home of missing chef Claudia Lawrence, mum claims

Exclusive
Couple's nightmare after being mistakenly told their baby girl had died in the womb - only to be born alive hours later

Couple tell of 'nightmare' after being wrongly told their baby girl had died in the womb

Gary Lineker (l) slammed over his backing off controversial BBC tv show which has been accused of being Hamas 'propaganda'

Gary Lineker slammed and BBC branded 'mouthpiece for terrorists' over Gaza 'propaganda' tv show

Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead

Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, wife Betsy Arakawa and couple's dog found dead in Santa Fe home

ROMANIA-BRITAIN-US-COURT-CRIME

Andrew Tate and brother leave Romania after White House pressure as ‘travel ban lifted’

Charlotte Peet disappeared in Brazil

Mystery of missing British journalist deepens after she vanished in Brazil, as police claim she is alive

Chris Hoy

Chris Hoy says cancer 'broke his spine' as tumours spread - leaving him unable to pick up his own children

The UK needs more NHS dentist appointments, an industry body has warned

Over two million people 'in urgent need of NHS dental care' amid warnings of desperate patients pulling own teeth

Sir Keir Starmer insists he can trust Donald Trump - as PM claims 'there’s no issue between us' on Ukraine.

Starmer to warn Trump that US security 'backstop' is vital to stop Putin attacking Ukraine again

NHS hospital ward menu and cup of tea - to illustrate NHS Hospital food, UK

NHS nurse awarded £41,000 payout after being 'left out of morning tea round'

Former Olympic swimmer who raped two teenage girls jailed for 21 years

Former Olympic swimmer who raped two teenage girls jailed for 21 years

Sderot, Israel. 26th Feb, 2025. Sderot, Israel, February 26, 2025. Israeli civilians line the road with Israeli flags, balloons and yellow flags as the van carrying bodies of the Bibas family

Bodies of last four Israeli hostages handed over by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners

London, UK. 26th August 2024. Police officers stop and search a pair of men on the second day of the Notting Hill Carnival as security is increased following stabbings and arrests on the previous day. Credit: Vuk Valcic/Alamy Live News

Police officers warned 'not to bring bad energy' to stop and search as Met launches overhaul

New world order: Starmer juggles looming tariffs, a Western alliance in crisis and Putin during 24 hours in Washington

New world order: Starmer to juggle looming tariffs, a Western alliance in crisis and Putin during 24 hours in Washington

Sir Keir Starmer insists he can trust Donald Trump - as PM claims 'there’s no issue between us' on Ukraine.

Starmer insists he can trust Trump and 'there’s no issue between us' on Ukraine ahead of White House talks