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King Charles graced London this week to attend the Royal Variety Performance despite his wife Queen Camilla tapping out last minute due to health issues. The British monarch was slated to attend the show alongside his wife. However, shortly before the show, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson released a statement revealing the Queen’s recent chest infection. According to the statement, Her Majesty continued suffering from lingering post-viral symptoms, prompting her medical team to advise her to “prioritize sufficient rest.” As a result, Queen Camilla withdrew from attending the event, leaving King Charles to go solo amid his cancer battle.
The monarch successfully graced the Royal Variety Show without incident on Friday, November 22, 2024, following in the footsteps of his late mom, Queen Elizabeth II. However, photos from his appearance at London’s Royal Albert Hall has racked up concern surrounding his health.
King Charles Is Looking “Ghastly” at the 2024 Royal Variety Show in London
King Charles was photographed arriving at the Royal Variety Performance in formal attire, appearing grim and washed out in some of the snaps as he waved at the excited crowd. Eagle-eyed royal observers pointed this out on social media while reacting to the King’s London appearance. Most netizens attributed King Charles’ appearance to the monarch’s progressing age and ongoing health struggles. One X user commented,
“The lips is very common with someone receiving cancer treatment, Dry mouth and lips are horrible.”
Another wrote,
“King Charles isn’t looking especially well.”
A third concerned netizen noted,
“His Majesty looks unwell.”
A fourth added,
“He’s Not Looking too Good.”
A fifth wrote,
“Oh his eyes are still terribly yellow.”
The Monarch Had Fun During the Show Despite Health Concerns
Despite his perceived ghastly appearance, King Charles made a memorable entrance at the Royal Variety performance event in London, leaving a lasting impression. Show hosts Alan Carr and Amanda Holden had nothing but praise for the British monarch, who reportedly remained in high spirits during the event. Speaking to a news outlet, Amanda quipped,
“He did so well to be here, He was really funny – I’ve always said out of everyone he’s got the best sense of humour in the whole of the royal family.”
Alan backed his co-host’s claims about the King, acknowledging how happy they felt knowing King Charles laughed at their jokes at the 2024 Royal Variety performance event. The show, which usually airs annually on ITV is an avenue to promote performing arts in Britain while raising funds for the Royal Variety Charity. While the reigning monarch has attended the event 16 times as Prince Charles, this year would mark his first time gracing the show since taking on the mantle as the King of the UK and the Commonwealth.
The event is the latest among a slew of notable appearances the monarch has made amid his ongoing battle with cancer. Notably, since disclosing his health struggles earlier this year, Queen Camilla has remained a strong presence in King Charles’ life, accompanying him to such royal engagements in her royal capacity. Hence, seeing the monarch go solo as his wife battles her own health issues heightened concerns about the royal family’s health woes. Thankfully, King Charles eased the tension at the performance show, reportedly apologizing for his wife’s unexpected absence.
