Prince Charles: King Charles III’s Health, Marriage, Succession

If you search “Prince Charles” right now, you will find a time capsule of questions: Why did he not marry Camilla in the 1970s? What did Queen Elizabeth really think of her? And, most urgently, what is the King’s cancer diagnosis and who takes over next? This article separates the confirmed facts from the still-unanswered questions across six decades of royal life. You will walk away with a clear, source-backed picture of King Charles III today and what comes next.

Current title: King of the United Kingdom ·
Age at accession: 73 ·
Royal record: Longest-serving heir apparent ·
Spouse: Queen Camilla ·
Commonwealth realms: 14 ·
Health update: Cancer diagnosis

Key personal details of King Charles III are summarized below.

What has King Charles been diagnosed with?

On 5 February 2024, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III had been diagnosed with a form of cancer discovered during treatment for benign prostate enlargement. The palace stated the cancer was not prostate cancer and did not disclose the type or stage, as confirmed by Associated Press (global news agency). Treatment began immediately: the King started regular outpatient sessions and paused public-facing duties while continuing constitutional state business, per BBC (UK public service broadcaster).

Why are King Charles’s hands so red and swollen?

Questions about the King’s hands have circulated widely online, but the exact cause is not officially confirmed by Buckingham Palace. Some doctors have speculated about possible causes, but no statement from the royal household addresses this directly.

The pattern: this is a case where public speculation runs ahead of official information. Until the palace or King Charles provides a medical explanation, any claims remain in the uncertain category.

Is Prince Charles still alive?

Yes. King Charles III is alive and remains the King of the United Kingdom. The confusion likely stems from the title change in 2022: the person widely known as “Prince Charles” for decades is the same person who now holds the throne. He continues his cancer treatment and described the diagnosis as frightening in public comments, as reported by CBS News (US news network). In December 2025, he said his treatment would be reduced in 2026 because of early diagnosis and effective intervention.

The implication: official statements are the only reliable medical data; public speculation remains unverified.

Why did Prince Charles not marry Camilla?

Charles and Camilla knew each other before Charles married Diana — they met in the early 1970s. But Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973, which meant she was not available when Charles was ready to marry. Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. The timeline explains why Camilla was not Prince Charles’s first wife: she had already married someone else. Charles and Camilla later married in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall on 9 April 2005, as documented by The Royal Family (official royal website).

What this means: the detour shaped the monarchy’s modern story, but the marriage eventually happened when circumstances aligned.

Why didn’t Queen Elizabeth like Camilla?

Reports and royal biographies describe private reservations about Camilla, but no official statement from Queen Elizabeth explains a personal opinion of Camilla. Over time, the royal family’s public relationship with Camilla changed. She later received official titles and royal roles, most notably being styled as Queen Camilla after the coronation on 6 May 2023, as reported by Los Angeles Times (US newspaper).

What remains is a historical question without a documented answer. The Queen’s personal views were not put on record, so any claim about her feelings toward Camilla is speculation unless new material surfaces.

Who will be queen when King Charles dies?

Prince William is next in line to the throne after King Charles, according to the line of succession established by law and convention. The question has many sub-questions, each with a distinct answer.

Will Camilla still be Queen when the King dies?

Camilla is Queen Consort now. Her potential title after Charles’s death follows royal convention: widowed queens consort have historically been styled as Queen Dowager or simply retained their title, but no public announcement has been made about Camilla’s exact future title.

Would Diana be queen if she was alive?

Diana divorced Charles in 1996, before he became king. Because they were divorced, she would not automatically hold a queen title after divorce. If Diana had remained married to Charles and he became King, she would have been Queen Consort.

What would Diana’s title be when William becomes king?

If Diana were still alive and had not remarried, she would not hold a queen title after William becomes king. She would be the mother of the monarch, styled as Diana, Princess of Wales — the title she held at her death.

What do Prince William’s children call Camilla?

Reports suggest that William’s children use an unusual moniker for Queen Camilla: “Grandma.” This is based on royal coverage, not an official announcement from the palace.

The succession is governed by law; speculation about Diana’s hypothetical title is settled by the divorce.

Why do Charles and Camilla live separately?

Charles and Camilla have separate royal residences: Charles primarily lives at Clarence House in London, while Camilla has her own private space at nearby properties, including parts of the royal estates. The Royal Family (official royal website) states that the Queen supports her husband in carrying out his work and duties, which often requires separate homes for logistical reasons. The arrangement is longstanding and publicly documented, rooted in practical considerations of royal life.

Who is the most liked member of the royal family?

Public polling from YouGov (UK polling firm) in January 2026 found the Prince and Princess of Wales to be the most positively viewed royals, with around 74-77% favorable opinions. The same poll showed King Charles at 60% positive and Queen Camilla at 42% positive with 45% unfavorable. An April 2026 YouGov tracker confirmed Prince William at 76% positive and Catherine at 75% positive, while Queen Elizabeth II — deceased but still polled — retained an 81% positive view among Britons, as recorded by YouGov (UK polling firm).

The pattern: popularity does not equal official status, but it influences the monarchy’s public standing.

“My treatment will be reduced in 2026 because of early diagnosis and effective intervention.”

— King Charles III, as reported by CBS News (US news network)

“The Prince and Princess of Wales are the most positively viewed royals, with around 74-77% favorable opinions.”

— YouGov (UK polling firm), January 2026 tracker

“Queen Elizabeth II retained an 81% positive view among Britons, higher than any living royal.”

— YouGov (UK polling firm), April 2026 tracker

One pattern across all these questions: the most straightforward answers come from official sources, while the most viral questions about King Charles’s private life often lack official confirmation. For readers following the royal family’s future, the implication is that succession is determined by law and convention, not speculation. Prince William will become king when Charles dies, and only then will Camilla’s title be formally clarified. For those tracking King Charles’s health, the cancer treatment timeline is the only reliable data available — everything else is guesswork until the palace speaks.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• King Charles III: Health, marriage, and royal popularity — A full overview of the King’s health, his relationship with Camilla, and public perception.
• Prince Charles’s journey: From heir to king — Tracing his life from birth through investiture, marriage, divorce, and accession to the throne.