Queen Camilla is the King's 'strength and support as Prince Philip was to Queen Elizabeth II' and 'will support and rally him' amid cancer diagnosis, says palace insider

Queen Camilla is the king's “strength and support,” as Prince Philip was to the late Queen Elizabeth II, a palace insider said amid the monarch's cancer diagnosis.

The source said PEOPLE that 76-year-old Charles, 75, will 'cuff' during his cancer treatment.

'She is his strength and remains fun [Prince Philip] was for the late queen. She'll be great. She will gather him, she will captivate him. She is amazing. She equips him to do the work he needs to do,” the insider said.

Charles, who only took the throne 17 months ago, was being treated for a benign enlarged prostate when medics discovered a 'form of cancer' last week.

In her first public appearance since his diagnosis was announced, Camilla said the king, who underwent his first treatment earlier this week, was doing “extremely well under the circumstances.”

It comes after King Charles yesterday broke his silence on his cancer diagnosis and expressed 'sincere thanks' to the British public for their 'many expressions of support and well wishes'.

The monarch has not spoken in public since it was revealed a week ago that he has a 'form of cancer', discovered by doctors while he was being treated for his benign enlarged prostate.

In a letter published by Sandringham House, where he has been staying since leaving the London Clinic on January 29, he said he was “encouraged” to hear that his experience is inspiring others across the country to get themselves checked.

The letter, signed by Charles R, reads: 'I would like to express my sincere thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days.

'As anyone affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.

'It is equally encouraging to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped to promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organizations supporting cancer patients and their families in the UK and the support the rest of the world.

'My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience.'

Buckingham Palace confirmed the king does not have prostate cancer, saying only that he has a “form of cancer.”

Charles, who only took the throne 17 months ago, was being treated for a benign enlarged prostate when medics discovered a 'form of cancer' last week. In the photo, Camilla is attending her first public appearance since the king's announcement

King Charles III leaves with Queen Camilla after treatment for an enlarged prostate at The London Clinic on January 29, 2024 in London

He was diagnosed after an 'isolated problem of concern was noted' and was examined while being treated for his benign enlarged prostate.

It is believed the King will also hold face-to-face meetings in London next week, despite his ongoing cancer treatment.

He will spend about a day in the capital as his travel is likely to overlap with his medical appointments.

But the king is well enough to hold a limited number of face-to-face meetings, sources say.

Charles has postponed all public duties, but continues to work behind the scenes on his red boxes of government papers.

The letter comes after he was visited by his estranged son, Prince Harry, 39, following the shock announcement on Tuesday.

The Duke, 39, flew to London on Tuesday on a 10-hour British Airways commercial flight from Los Angeles to Heathrow, arriving at the royal residence at 2.42pm.

He then spent about 45 minutes talking to his father, believed to be their first real contact in 15 months.

It was their first formal in-person meeting since the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

The father and son had a 'brief meeting' before the king and Camilla were driven to Buckingham Palace, where a helicopter waited to take them back to Sandringham.

Before his trip back to the United States, Harry was spotted in Heathrow's exclusive Windsor Suite as he prepared to fly back that afternoon.

It is believed the royal family has not seen his estranged brother and heir-apparent Prince William, or sister-in-law Kate.