King Charles has been on the throne for just over three years and has made a number of changes to his lifestyle since being diagnosed with cancer, according to a royal author
Senior members of staff within the Royal Household have noticed a significant shift in King Charles’ demeanour, according to claims made by a royal author.
Charles ascended to the throne just over three years ago following the longest period as heir apparent in British history.
Shortly after his coronation, the monarch received a cancer diagnosis of an undisclosed type, which royal expert Robert Jobson suggests has resulted in a notable transformation in his conduct.
In his latest work, The Windsor Legacy: A Royal Dynasty of Secrets, Scandal and Survival, he writes: “Indeed, his longer-serving staff have detected a change in their employer, whom they feel could occasionally seem rather cold.
“He’s now become more emotional, they say,” reports the Express.
“Not only that, but he’s changed some of the habits that once seemed set in stone – largely due to advice from Dr Michael Dixon, a seasoned NHS GP and advocate of complementary medicine who was appointed head of the Royal Medical Household after Queen Elizabeth’s death.
“William, too, has urged his father to slow down and listen to his medical team.”
Charles underwent a “corrective procedure” at the London Clinic to address benign prostate enlargement in January 2024.
Whilst undergoing that procedure, Buckingham Palace revealed that cancer had been identified, though it was confirmed not to be prostate cancer. His public duties were put on hold until April as he underwent treatment to combat the disease.
According to Jobson, Charles has since made several lifestyle changes, including taking regular afternoon naps.
He’s also reintroduced lunch into his daily routine after a lifetime of skipping the meal, often opting for spinach soup. The royal is said to frequently jest with friends about reaching that “worryingly decrepit stage” of his life.
Despite this, he has remained committed to his work whilst undergoing cancer treatment. In tandem with this, Queen Camilla has increased the number of Royal engagements she attends.
Charles continues to receive regular treatment for his cancer and was briefly hospitalised in March 2025 due to temporary side effects from his treatment.
Adding to the Royal Family’s woes, Kate Middleton disclosed her own cancer diagnosis shortly after Charles’ was announced.
Meanwhile, according to Jobson, Prince William and his father “generally work well together” although he suggests there is “often an underlying tension between them”.
The royal author stated: “It doesn’t help that both have a fiery temper that’s not always held in check. Working for Charles, some staff say, can be like ‘treading on eggshells’.
“They point to the time Charles caught Covid – for the second time – in February 2022. Then still the Prince of Wales, he was at Clarence House, preparing to head to Highgrove for the weekend, when the two dreaded blue lines appeared.
“But when he was told he couldn’t travel to his country retreat, he was incandescent. Frustrated, he even threatened to drive himself down the M4. Alarmed royal aides, fearing a breach of strict nation-wide rules, decided they had to act to prevent a possible calamity – so they hid his car keys.
“Eventually, Charles cooled off and stayed put in London, sticking to the government guidelines until he was symptom-free.”
