King Charles opens up about cancer treatment side effects during veteran visit

This event marks his return to royal duties after his diagnosis was announced in February.

King Charles is opening up about the side effects of his cancer treatment. The 75-year-old monarch discussed the impact of his treatment while speaking with a veteran about their own experience with chemotherapy during his visit to the Army Flying Museum in Hampshire on Monday, May 13.

In a conversation with British Army veteran Aaron Mapplebeck, King Charles mentioned experiencing a "loss of taste" during his treatment, The Sun reports. Mapplebeck shared that he also faced this issue after undergoing nine rounds of chemotherapy for testicular cancer last February.

The King’s candid discussion about his treatment comes amid his recent return to royal duties after making notable progress following his cancer diagnosis, which was announced on February 5.

 

The monarch made his first royal engagement since his treatment on April 30 alongside Queen Camilla at the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in London.

King Charles’ visit to the army museum included handing over the title of Colonel-in-Chief of his son Prince Harry’s former regiment, the Army Air Corps, to his eldest son Prince William in a military ceremony at the Army Aviation Centre in Hampshire.

The appointment comes days after King Charles and Prince William missed attending Prince Harry’s Invictus Games Foundation’s 10th-anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on May 8.

A spokesperson for Prince Harry previously confirmed that he and the King would not reunite during his brief U.K. trip for the Invictus games service. PEOPLE understands that the Duke of Sussex, 39, had extended invites to his father, brother, and sister-in-law Kate Middleton, who is currently also undergoing treatment for cancer, though none attended the celebration.

On the same day as the service, King Charles made his second public engagement since returning to work by hosting the first garden party of the season with Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace.

The King and Queen opened the palace doors to thousands of guests for the longstanding traditional event, with royal family members Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester also in attendance.