The 2 secret pals who are King Charles’ ‘tower of strength’ rallying around him during cancer battle
KING Charles is currently undergoing cancer treatment and is relying more than ever on a handful of close friends and family members.
A royal expert has claimed there are two key individuals who are rallying alongside the monarch and are his ‘tower of strength’ and ‘pillar of support’.
The source told Fabulous that while Charles is being sparing with his time around his carefully chosen engagements, he relies on David, 62, the Earl of Snowdon.
David is the king’s cousin from his late mother’s side of the family, and his parents were the late Princess Margaret and the photographer Tony Armstrong Jones.
The source said: “Those working for the then Prince of Wales first noticed a subtle shift in the amount of time he spent with David around six years ago, when Charles would frequently seek his views on mutual matters of interest, such as design or architecture.
“The warmth of trust and respect between the two has continued to grow since Charles’s succession to the throne, and during the King’s treatment for cancer.
“Officially David helps run the King’s Foundation, which is a group of Charles’s charities [formerly the Prince’s Foundation] but his bond with Charles goes much deeper than that.
“While it has been the duty of the king’s private secretary to keep access to the monarch to the minimum during his treatment and recovery, David has priority – his calls will always be taken by Charles.”
Camilla has been hailed as the “ultimate gatekeeper” following her husband’s diagnosis and insistent that he be “kept away from all stress.”
However, the source added: “She knows that speaking to David does Charles good and makes him feel that things are being well looked after.”
The second figure who has been rallying around Charles and is said to be “guaranteed to put a smile on the king’s face” is Camilla’s son, Tom Parker Bowles, 49.
Restaurant critic Tom, who often features on MasterChef: The Professionals, is a godson of Charles and his son Freddy, 13, was one of the Pages of Honour at the king’s coronation.
The insider added: “Charles has always been a big figure in Tom’s life, right from the tricky times – when Charles’s marriage was breaking up and so was Camilla’s – and both Charles and Tom have a mutual respect for each other.
“Tom is charming and has a very relaxed manner. He’s also very amusing and makes Charles laugh.
“He is one of the very few to have been invited to Birkhall while Charles recovers from his cancer treatment.”
Tom counts a number of journalists among his friends, but he has always been guarded about discussing his mother’s marriage to the king.
However he spoke out against comments made by Prince Harry in his book Spare, implying that Camilla had plotted to become queen. and emphasised that she married Charles for love.
“I don’t care what anyone says—this wasn’t any sort of end game,” said Tom in a podcast hosted by Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel.
“She married the person she loved and this is what happened.”
Those working for the then Prince of Wales first noticed a subtle shift in the amount of time he spent with David around six years ago, when Charles would frequently seek his views on mutual matters of interest, such as design or architecture.
Royal source
Buckingham Palace has not yet confirmed details of the King’s treatment, with royal officials only saying so far that he is being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer.
With his cancer treatment still continuing, the King is gradually returning to public engagements.
We shared how Kate Middleton and King Charles are “seeking solace and comfort from one another” and will be each other’s “shoulder to lean on” after both being diagnosed with cancer, a royal expert has claimed.
Timeline of King Charles' health battle
A look at King Charles cancer diagnosis and recovery.
January 17: Buckingham Palace announces the King has been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate
January 26: The Sun exclusively photograph the King arriving at The London Clinic for his ‘corrective procedure’
January 29: Seen waving and smiling as he left hospital after an extra night
February 5: Palace reveal while in hospital for his prostate operation doctors discovered the the King has a form of cancer
February 10: King issues ‘heartfelt thanks’ in a written statement
February 21: King tells Rishi Sunak he had been “reduced to tears” by get-well cards
March 21: The Princess of Wales and the King have lunch at Windsor Castle
March 22: Kate announces via video statement that she is being treated for cancer
March 31: King attends Easter Sunday service and takes part in ‘walkabout’ with members of the public and aides say ‘it was a significant step’ as King had ‘responded to treatment very encouragingly’
April 4: The Sun exclusively reveals King has ordered aides to ‘supercharge’ his diary for the summer and is ‘raring to go’
April 10: King and Queen embark on break at Birkhall, in Scottish Highlands
April 26: Buckingham Palace announce King will return to public-facing front-line duties
April 30: King marks his public comeback by visiting a cancer hospital with the Queen
Future:
May 8 and 21: Buckingham Palace Garden Parties
May 21 – 25: Chelsea Flower Show
June 6: 80th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France and UK
June 15: Trooping the Colour birthday parade in London
June 17: Garter Day parade at Windsor Castle
June 18 – 22: Royal Ascot
Late June: State Visit by Emperor and Empress of Japan
July 3: Holyrood Week in Scotland
October: Two or three-week tour of Australia
The Princess of Wales, 42, who had been recovering from major abdominal surgery in January 2024, announced her health battle in a heartfelt video which she revealed her “huge shock” after post-operation tests revealed she had the disease.
The Sun previously revealed King Charles had an “emotional” lunch with “beloved daughter-in-law” Kate hours before she revealed cancer diagnosis.
It comes after the King was said to be “too busy” to see his youngest son when he visited the UK last week.
Harry, 39, was keen to see his dad after jetting from California but his spokesman said: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.”