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King Charles and Queen Camilla made their first joint appearance since the monarch shared that his cancer treatment will be “reduced” in the new yearThe King, 77, and Queen, 78, hosted a reception celebrating the return of HMS Prince of Wales from Operation HIGHMAST on Dec. 18Last week, the King announced the “good news” in a rare update about his health

King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted an especially celebratory royal reception in their first joint appearance since the monarch announced that his cancer treatment would be “reduced” in the new year.

On Dec. 18, the King, 77, and Queen, 78, hosted a festive reception to celebrate the return of HMS Prince of Wales from Operation HIGHMAST at St. James’s Palace in London. 

The outing doubled as the royal couple’s first joint public event since King Charles announced the “good news” on Dec. 12 that his treatment for cancer will be reduced in the new year.

King Charles shared the rare health update in a pre-recorded message filmed at Clarence House several weeks ago, which was broadcast as part of Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer campaign.

“Today I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders,’ my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the New Year,” King Charles said in part then. 

“This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years; testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the fifty percent of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives,” he continued.

King Charles attends reception at St. James’s Palace in London on Dec. 18, 2025.

Aaron Chown – Pool/Getty

King Charles, Honorary Commodore-in-Chief Aircraft Carriers, and Queen Camilla, Lady Sponsor, welcomed the Ship’s Company for a palace celebration recognizing their successful eight-month deployment on Operation HIGHMAST.

The operation was the United Kingdom’s premier naval deployment of 2025 and a major global exercise, led by the nation’s flagship warship, the HMS Prince of Wales. 

Queen Camilla attends reception at St. James’s Palace in London on Dec. 18, 2025.

Aaron Chown – Pool/Getty

Before the reception began, Queen Camilla held an audience for the ship’s outgoing and incoming captains. During the festive event, the King and Queen met sailors from the HMS Prince of Wales, plus their partners and families. 

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A Buckingham Palace spokesperson confirmed that the King’s recovery has reached a notably positive stage, while avoiding the word “remission.”  It’s understood that King Charles has been  receiving weekly treatment since the palace announced his undisclosed cancer diagnosis in February 2024.

“His Majesty has responded exceptionally well to treatment, and his doctors advise that ongoing measures will now move into a precautionary phase. This position will be continuously monitored and reviewed to protect and prioritize his continued recovery,” a spokesperson said.

The King has not disclosed what type of cancer he is being treated for, a deliberate move to speak to those affected by any form of the disease. 

King Charles visits Guinness Open Gate Brewery London on December 18, 2025.

Chris Jackson / POOL / AFP via Getty

The reception celebrating the return of the HMS Prince of Wales from Operation HIGHMAST was King Charles’ second outing of the day on Thursday, following a solo stop to officially open the new Guinness Open Gate Brewery London.