King Charles III, who acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, remains monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth Realms. Nearly three years into his reign, he continues to balance public duties, diplomacy, and charitable leadership while undergoing cancer treatment with a level of transparency that has earned public goodwill.
Accession, Coronation, and Role as Monarch
Charles became King immediately upon the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, whose historic reign spanned 70 years. His coronation on 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey blended centuries of royal tradition with modern elements reflecting his own priorities: environmental stewardship, interfaith dialogue, and a renewed emphasis on service. Queen Camilla was crowned alongside him as Queen Consort, and the ceremony drew representatives from across the UK and Commonwealth.
As monarch, Charles serves as ceremonial head of state in the UK and 14 other realms, while symbolically leading the wider Commonwealth of Nations. His commitments have remained consistent: advancing environmental causes through initiatives such as the Sustainable Markets Initiative and Terra Carta, strengthening interfaith and community ties across the UK, and maintaining patronage of more than 400 charities spanning youth opportunity, heritage, and the arts.
Health, Transparency, and Resilience
In February 2024, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the King had been diagnosed with can.cer, discovered during treatment for an enlarged prostate. The specific type of cancer has not been disclosed, but the Palace has emphasized optimism. Charles began outpatient treatment early that year, temporarily reducing public appearances while continuing state business, including meetings with the Prime Minister and Privy Council. After medical advice, he gradually resumed public engagements, striking a balance between duty and recovery.
In 2025, Charles briefly required hospitalization due to side effects from treatment, but returned to public duties shortly after. His openness about health challenges has been received positively by much of the public, who see his approach as both human and reassuring.
Royal Engagements and Family Dynamics
Despite treatment, King Charles has pressed ahead with international and domestic responsibilities. In June 2025, he and Queen Camilla visited Australia and the South Pacific, with engagements in Sydney, cultural programs, and a stop in Samoa to highlight climate challenges facing island nations. The trip underscored his determination to serve as an active monarch while modeling resilience.
At home, Charles’s partnership with Prince William, the Prince of Wales, remains central to the monarchy’s continuity. William has taken on a larger royal workload, focusing on homelessness, mental health, and climate action as he prepares for his future role. Relations with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue to attract media attention, though the Palace avoids commenting publicly on family matters. Reports of estrangement remain speculative, as no verified sources confirm a permanent rift.
Legacy and Public Support
Charles’s reign builds on more than five decades of service as Prince of Wales. Through the Prince’s Trust, he has supported over a million young people since 1976. His environmental campaigns, heritage advocacy, and interfaith initiatives remain at the forefront of his public role.
Polling in 2025 suggests steady support for the monarchy under Charles, with Britons acknowledging his transparency on health and valuing his efforts to modernize while upholding tradition.
A Reign of Responsibility
As of mid-2025, King Charles III continues to embody a reign shaped by service, resilience, and duty. Balancing constitutional obligations with personal health, he presents an image of continuity and dedication at a pivotal moment for the monarchy. His approach shows that far from stepping back, the King intends to carry forward the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, while shaping a monarchy attuned to the challenges of the 21st century.