King Charles III, who turns 76 on Thursday, is still undergoing cancer treatment, but his commitment to royal duties remains strong despite what his son Prince William called a “brutal” year. Charles paused his royal duties in February after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, but resumed work in April. He and Queen Camilla resumed international travel last month, with Charles briefly pausing treatment for a trip to Australia and Samoa. Those close to him say he returned “invigorated” from the trip and plans to return to a normal schedule of overseas visits next year.

Charles, who ascended the throne in September 2022, remains dedicated to his constitutional role and public service. He led the nation in a two-minute silence on Remembrance Sunday and has continued his engagements, including hosting a reception for the film industry and attending the premiere of “Gladiator II.” Despite his birthday being marked by ceremonial gun salutes, Charles has no plans for a break, as he is set to open a food redistribution centre in south London as part of his “Coronation Food Project” aimed at tackling food waste and supporting those in need.

The past year has been challenging for the royal family, with health concerns affecting both Charles and his daughter-in-law Catherine, who completed chemotherapy for her own cancer diagnosis. The family also faced financial scrutiny and calls for slavery reparations. Despite these challenges, Prince William expressed pride in his father and wife’s handling of the difficult year, describing it as “dreadful” but acknowledging their strength.

The health of the royal family remains a topic of public interest, with Charles’s and Camilla’s travels closely monitored, including a wellness retreat in India to break up a long journey. However, the king skipped the COP29 summit in Baku, citing health concerns.