'Charles has waited so long for the top job, his cancer diagnosis feels unfair'

06 February 2024 , 19:36

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As the medics explain your cancer diagnosis and what’s next, you feel numb, writes Linda Nolan (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

They always tell us cancer is the great leveler, and, well, this week confirms it. Yet I'm still shocked King Charles has been diagnosed.

I met him once, at a polo match with Brian in Windsor. Brian being Brian, he got chatting and Charles was lovely. Prince Harry, playing too, came over to say goodbye to his ‘Pa’, said he’d call him later, kissed him, and then lifted off in a helicopter. What a fabulous exit.

We’re so used to our royals being ruddy and robust - and quite frankly, rich, with the best possible care - the Windsors’ recent health news has been unnerving, and this latest announcement has truly saddened me. Charles has waited so long for the top job, to now confront cancer feels so unfair.

But cancer is unfair. I know that. We all know that. Strip away the crown, palaces and private care, and, for once, I know exactly how Charles will be feeling. We’re suddenly just two humans, who, under all the positivity, are scared.

The closest thing I can liken being told the news to is having some sort of out-of-body experience. When I was first diagnosed, the first thought that came into my head was: ‘will I die?’ I kept torturing myself about how, if I had gone to the doctor straight away when I had first found a problem, things could be different.

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As the medics explain your diagnosis and what’s next, you feel numb. All I could think as the doctor spoke on, was ‘this does not apply to me, this cannot be real, this is somebody else's news’. Well this week it was King Charles’ news.

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I’d give two pieces of advice. Not my usual, get your eyebrows tattooed before treatment. But first, do as you’re told! (Sorry, sir) Obviously you throw that out the window sometimes, like when I stayed up to 5am on Friday night. But doctors do know best.

And talk to someone you won’t be worried about upsetting. I’ve had counseling on and off since 2006 and there I can be a mess. I don’t need to worry about being a strong sister or auntie.

Telling your family you have cancer is the hardest thing. Charles will stay upbeat for Camilla, William and Harry, and keep his crown on straight for the rest of us, but he’ll need his moments.

Finally, and I’m sure he’s looking for silver linings as we all do, there is at least one. Prince Harry has come home.

When Bernie was very ill with her cancer some of us sisters had fallen out and hadn’t been speaking. But the moment the news came all that stopped and paled into insignificance.

We got together in Blackpool and except for Bernie declining her usual attempt at performing Riverdance, we were as we’d always been.

Family is the most important thing, cancer makes that very clear.

Linda Nolan