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Queen Camilla is the ‘steady hand on the tiller’ amid the King’s cancer diagnosis, a former royal butler has said – as Princess Anne has previously admitted she ‘does it really well’ despite ‘not being a natural’.

Speaking to GB News, Paul Burrell remarked that the monarch’s wife is the ‘guiding force’ for the family, as well as being the one behind Charles’s openness regarding his health.

‘I think she is the stabiliser,’ he told the outlet. ‘I think she has that touch. I think she’s able to reach people in a way the King can’t and I think she’s taught him a lot in the last few years about monarchy and how to be King.

‘Isn’t that odd really, that she should come up through the ranks and be so supportive and such a stabilising influence in our modern-day Royal Family.’

Paul started working in Charles and the late Princess Diana’s royal household in 1987 and was the Princess’s personal butler until her death in 1997.

The King has been diagnosed with cancer, according to Buckingham Palace, placing a burden on the Queen as he will be forced to step away from public-facing duties for some time (pictured L-R; King Charles and Queen Camilla at their Coronation on May 6, 2023)

The King has been diagnosed with cancer, according to Buckingham Palace, placing a burden on the Queen as he will be forced to step away from public-facing duties for some time (pictured L-R; King Charles and Queen Camilla at their Coronation on May 6, 2023)

Having himself received treatment for cancer, he also expressed his appreciation for the King’s transparency.

Meanwhile, it’s not the first time Camilla, 76, has been praised for her ability to step up to the task when times get tough. 

Her straight-talking sister-in-law Princess Anne said Camilla is ‘not a natural’ at the role – but she ‘does it really well’ and ‘provides that change of speed and tone, that’s equally important’.

The Queen had admitted six years ago that royal life is ‘tiring’, but is set to continue working, with her public duties set to increase further in her husband’s absence, not to mention the Princess of Wales, 42, who is still recovering from abdominal surgery and not expected to return until after Easter.

This all comes after a long period of time when Camilla would not have dreamed she’d be Queen of this country in her 70s, even after her marriage to Prince Charles.

Buckingham Palace announced yesterday that the King, 75, has been diagnosed with cancer and will be taking a break from his public-facing duties as he begins treatment. 

Last week, the Queen was keeping the ‘royal show on the road’ as she was on duty almost every day, combining back to back engagements with supporting her husband who left hospital on Monday with Camilla by his side. 

On Tuesday, she hosted a Windsor Castle reception for authors, illustrators and binders who have been involved a new Miniature Library collection displayed alongside Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. 

Queen Camilla (pictured, right, as she leaves The London Clinic with King Charles following a procedure for an enlarged prostate) has been described as 'not a natural' at the role of Queen by Princess Anne - who, however, concedes that Camilla does the job well

Queen Camilla (pictured, right, as she leaves The London Clinic with King Charles following a procedure for an enlarged prostate) has been described as ‘not a natural’ at the role of Queen by Princess Anne – who, however, concedes that Camilla does the job well

On Tuesday, the Queen hosted a Windsor Castle reception for authors, illustrators and binders who have been involved a new Miniature Library collection displayed alongside Queen Mary 's Dolls' House

On Tuesday, the Queen hosted a Windsor Castle reception for authors, illustrators and binders who have been involved a new Miniature Library collection displayed alongside Queen Mary ‘s Dolls’ House

Next, she officially launched Maggie’s centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London, while on Thursday she stepped out in Bath to celebrate the 850th anniversary of the St John’s Foundation.

On Friday she received a warm welcome as she visited the newly opened Meadows Community Centre in Cambridge.

This all comes after Camilla who six years ago, before she was even Queen, during an audience with the Sultan of Brunei’s wife, Queen Saleha, at the Sultan of Brunei, was asked if she found royal life tiring.

She said: ‘Very tiring. Every day, we’re non-stop. It’s more tiring as you get older. I keep trying to tell everybody that I’m not as young as I used to be, and have to slow down.’ 

She officially launched Maggie¿s centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London on Wednesday

She officially launched Maggie’s centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London on Wednesday 

On Thursday she stepped out in Bath to celebrate the 850th anniversary of the St John's Foundation

On Thursday she stepped out in Bath to celebrate the 850th anniversary of the St John’s Foundation

On Friday she received a warm welcome as she visited the newly opened Meadows Community Centre in Cambridge

On Friday she received a warm welcome as she visited the newly opened Meadows Community Centre in Cambridge

Unfortunately, that will not be the case for the time being, as the King deals with his condition, which, according to the statement posted by the Palace announcing the illness, it was spotted by chance.

The statement said: ‘During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.

‘His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.

‘The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.

ENGAGEMENTS: The royal is set to face a difficult time, with a heavy work schedule and he husband being treated for cancer

ENGAGEMENTS: The royal is set to face a difficult time, with a heavy work schedule and he husband being treated for cancer

The statement released by Buckingham Palace revealing that King Charles is being treated for cancer

The statement released by Buckingham Palace revealing that King Charles is being treated for cancer

‘His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.’

During this time, the Princess of Wales, 42, is currently recouperating for abdominal surgery which involved a two-week hospital stay, and will time away from public duties until April.

Her illness has also reduced the amount of time the Prince of Wales, 41, has been able to work, as she has looked after his wife and their three young children, George, 10, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five. 

Kensington Palace announced earlier today, however, that he would resume public duties this week by conducting an investiture on Wednesday at Windsor Castle, followed by a gala fundraising event for the London Air Ambulance in the evening. 

The recent diagnosis means the King is unlikely to be at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 11, which is usually attended by senior members of the royal family. 

DISCHARGED: When discharged from hospital last Monday, the King appeared steady on his feet as he left hospital with his wife

DISCHARGED: When discharged from hospital last Monday, the King appeared steady on his feet as he left hospital with his wife

It is understood he will continue to receive red boxes and process state documents during treatment and there are no plans to appoint Counsellors of State. 

It is understood details of the King’s diary are still being worked on and it is not yet known when a full programme of engagements will begin.

Reacting to the news, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: ‘Wishing His Majesty a full and speedy recovery. 

‘I have no doubt he’ll be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will be wishing him well.’

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: ‘On behalf of the Labour Party, I wish His Majesty all the very best for his recovery.

‘We look forward to seeing him back to swift full health.’

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told MPs: ‘I know the whole House will wish to join me in expressing our sympathies with His Majesty the King following the news announcement this evening. 

‘Our thoughts are, of course, with His Majesty and his family, and we’d all wish to send him our very best wishes for the successful treatment and a speedy recovery following tonight’s news.’

The diagnosis is also likely to be professionally devastating for Charles, who was the longest-serving heir to the throne in British history before he became King on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, on September 8 2022.

Since then he has hit the ground running with three state visits overseas, hosting two incoming state visits to the UK and undertaking hundreds of public engagements each year, taking on a punishing official workload well into his 70s.

The King has largely enjoyed good health throughout his life, apart from suffering from a bad back.

He is known to enjoy a healthy diet of largely organic foods, as well as fruits and vegetables.

It was first revealed that he was unwell on  January 17 when Buckingham Palace made the unexpected announcement that the King had ‘sought treatment’ for an enlarged prostate.

The palace added that His Majesty’s condition was ‘benign’ and that he would attend hospital the following week for a corrective procedure.

They said he was personally keen to share details of his diagnosis to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get themselves check.

The NHS subsequently reported an encouraging spike in people seeking more information on their website.

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This post first appeared on Daily mail