Not much has been shared about King Charles' health following the February Buckingham Palace statement about his cancer diagnosis, but according to a new report from the Daily Beast, Charles, 75, is not doing very well, and the plans for his funeral are being reviewed and updated. A source who is reportedly a family friend told the outlet that everyone is trying to remain "optimistic" and Charles is "determined to beat it." At the same time, though, "he is really very unwell," according to the source.
The source added that King Charles' condition is worse "than they are letting on."
In February 2024, Buckingham Palace disclosed that "subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer" after the king was treated for benign prostate enlargement.
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At the time, Buckingham Palace shared that King Charles "remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible."
The type of cancer he has was not disclosed.
Sources also told the Daily Beast that the plans for King Charles' funeral, which are called "Operation Menai Bridge," are being reviewed. But sources also stressed that "planning for the worst" is the norm.
One source told the Daily Beast that the actions that are being taken are "no more than what you would expect given the king has been diagnosed with cancer."
Another source added that people's expectations are high, and everyone involved has to be prepared, so thinking about the funeral in advance makes sense.
“Of course they are looking at every aspect of Menai Bridge. The queen’s funeral went like clockwork and set a high bar," the source told the outlet.
Though talk of King Charles' funeral plans have led some to speculate and worry, former Royal Protection Officer Simon Morgan previously told Today that Operation Menai Bridge, or plans for King Charles' funeral, actually began shortly after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
The codename for late Queen Elizabeth II's death was "Operation London Bridge." The Independent reported that the plan was created not long after the Queen’s coronation in 1952. Additionally, it was updated "many times" prior to her death.
“You’ve got to remember the scale of this thing," a military source recently told the Daily Beast. "The whole thing goes from flash to bang in under two weeks which means every aspect of it needs to be meticulously planned in advance. Serious planning for Charles’ funeral began the day after they buried the queen.”
