The U.K.’s King Charles III has attempted to modernize the monarchy, and he recently announced plans for cancer treatment, in an unprecedented act of transparency.
However, Buckingham Palace has refused to provide a “running commentary” on the king’s health, and they’ve kept some information under wraps. For example, Charles has yet to disclose the type of cancer, although he’s denied rumors of prostate cancer.
Now, insiders have told The Daily Beast that Charles has become sicker than he’s admitting. Many of them even said that U.K. officials were updating the king’s funeral plans, a bombshell revelation about “Operation Menai Bridge.”
The Daily Beast, an outlet known for its royal contacts, interviewed family friends of the monarch… and they uncovered a web of rumors.
“Of course he is determined to beat it and they are throwing everything at it,” one old friend told the outlet. “Everyone is staying optimistic, but he is really very unwell. More than they are letting on.”
The same friend told The Royalist, months before Queen Elizabeth’s death, that the queen had been battling bone marrow cancer.
Multiple insiders reported that Buckingham Palace was frantically updating “Operation Menai Bridge,” its playbook for the king’s funeral. They said that officials were checking their notes from the queen’s funeral two years ago.
Some state officials have dismissed these rumors as palace intrigue. Charles may have become king in his 70s, but even the young, healthy royals need to update their funeral plans, according to some military officials.
“Planning for the worst is what the military do,” one military source said.
Prince William will become king in the event of Charles’ abdication… or worse.
However, William’s immediate family is dealing with its own issues regarding transparency and health. William’s wife, Princess Kate, announced her cancer diagnosis in a video earlier this year. She confirmed her medical troubles after some speculation about her whereabouts… after posting a poorly edited photo.
Compared to the U.S., the U.K. maintains stricter rules on defamation and medical privacy.
Still, transparency advocates have stressed the political implications of a monarch’s death, and they’ve demanded more information on the king’s health.
Charles appeared at an Easter event, where he conspicuously met with more than 50 people to shake hands. He has yet to cancel any of the overseas trips scheduled for the summer, according to the royal calendar.
The Horn editorial team