The King shared a candid health update as he spoke with a cancer patient at the opening of a new hospital in Birmingham today – while his wife was visiting the New Normandy Barracks in Aldershot.

Back from the summer holiday, Charles, 76, admitted he is ‘not too bad’ when asked about his own recovery, adding that ‘half the problem is detecting it in time’.

‘There’s always hope down the road,’ the monarch continued, also pointing out that doctors are ‘better at dealing’ with the illness now.

In a separate meeting, he also joked that he was discovering that ‘bits don’t work so well once you get past 70’.

The royal met with Matthew Shinda during a visit to officially open the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital.

Matthew, who is suffering from prostate cancer, told the King: ‘I’ve got what you’ve got’, before revealing: ‘Last stage. I could go today, I could go tomorrow.’

The King has been undergoing cancer treatment since January last year. Buckingham Palace has not confirmed what type of cancer Charles has.

Matthew was with daughter Philippa Matthew, 52, younger sister Jessie Sharif, 60, and wife Elizabeth Shinda, 74.

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King Charles (pictured), 76, opened the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Birmingham today

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He talked candidly to patients, including Matthew Shinda (pictured), about his own experience of cancer

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Queen Camilla (pictured) looked elegant in a white dress today as she visited the New Normandy Barracks in Aldershot

The King asked how long he had been here and asked: ‘Have they been giving you all the right treatment? Marvellous nurses.’

Matthew, who said he was happy to see the King was recovering well, then explained how he had been diagnosed when doctors found a previously undiscovered lump.

Charles said: ‘As long as they’re making you comfortable.’ Matthew replied: ‘Of course. That’s one of the priorities. Making me comfortable.’

‘The great thing I think is they’re getting better and better at dealing with these things. The trouble is there’s always hope down the road,’ the King added.

‘I am sorry about that, it’s so frustrating. We’re probably about the same age are we?’

Matthew guessed the King was about one year older, which Charles laughed at.

Matthew then added that he would like a drink, prompting Charles to joke he should have brought a whisky, saying: ‘It’s supposed to be very good for the heart.’

The King also asked about his daughters and grandchildren, to which Matthew said he was ‘lucky’ to have loved ones who were taking turns to come and visit.

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Charles met patient Jacqueline Page (pictured) during a ward visit

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He also met retired milkman Philip Barnard (pictured), who told the King he has lung cancer

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Charles met Hernata Yonas (pictured with her mother Semher Tesfu), who was the first baby born in the hospital

Matthew said after the visit: ‘I was elated. He showed concern.’

Elsewhere, Charles later told retired milkman Philip Barnard, who told the King he has lung cancer, that there is ‘huge progress in treatment’.

The royal also met Jacqueline Page, 85, who lives in Great Barr with her husband Jeff, 82. Her father met the then Prince Charles when he visited Birmingham in 1978.

Charles said: ‘I do hope this isn’t causing too much interruption.’ Jacqueline told him: ‘Lovely to meet you. I wish it was in better circumstances.’

Jacqueline assured the monarch that she was receiving ‘the best attention’, joking that she was ‘wearing out’.

He joked in response: ‘Well this is the terrible thing, as I’m discovering already, bits don’t work so well do they once you get past 70.’

He asked Jeff how he was coping at home, and the couple revealed that they had been married 40 years.

Jacqueline also recounted that she had once met the King before, at Perry Barr stadium.

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Charles greeted hospital staff and received a warm response from the crowds

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He shook hands with hospital workers who appeared delighted to see the King

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Charles met some supporters who were carrying Union Jack flags

‘You came in a helicopter and you got out of the helicopter and you walked straight towards my parents,’ she revealed.

Charles joked: ‘That was a bit of luck, wasn’t it?’ She continued: ‘They shook hands with you. I didn’t get a look in, so I’m so delighted you’re talking to me today.’

And Charles recalled: ‘It was a wonderful old helicopter I seem to remember. I used to fly it. Because I’d flown them in the Navy. I left the Navy in 1976 but I could still remember how to fly it. That was the great thing.’

He later met Hernata Yonas, who was the first baby born in the hospital. Mother Semhar Tesfu and father Yonas Kflu told him that Hernata had arrived at 8.48am – just over 90 minutes after the maternity department opened its doors.

There were huge cheers from the crowds as Charles greeted them and others who worked at the hospital.

And just before Charles unveiled a plaque, ex NHS chief and chairman of the hospital Sir David Nicholson told the crowd: ‘Your Majesty, guests, colleagues, and friends.

‘It is a tremendous honour to stand before you today on this momentous occasion.

‘This is a day of immense pride, not just for those of us who have been part of this project from its inception, but for the entire community who will benefit from this world-class facility for generations to come.

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Camilla, 78, met with members of 4th Battalion of The Ranger Regiment in her capacity as Royal Colonel today

‘Your Majesty, it is with the deepest gratitude and immense pride that we welcome you here today to officially open Midland Metropolitan University Hospital.’

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust provides community, hospital, and general practice-based care, serving a population of 750,000 local people.Midland Metropolitan University Hospital opened its doors on Sunday 6th October 2024 and is one of the biggest hospitals to open in England in the last decade.

Elsewhere, also fresh from the summer break, Queen Camilla looked elegant in a white dress today as she too returned to work.

Braving the rain, the royal, 78, chose a favourite outfit, which she was last seen in at Wimbledon in July 2023, to visit the New Normandy Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, in her capacity as Royal Colonel.

Camilla’s white midi dress featured a stylish top with black vertical stitching that continued down into the pleated skirt.

She completed the monochrome ensemble with a pair of beige, suede court shoes with a low heel.

The monarch’s blonde hair fell in a classic blow dry and she accessorised with a turquoise and gold bracelet.

Camilla met with members of the 4th Battalion of The Ranger Regiment and their families to hear more about the work of the unit.

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Camilla was seen animatedly chatting to the soldiers, who were wearing their army camouflage

She was pictured smiling as she shook hands with soldiers dressed in army camouflage and chatted lightheartedly to their partners and children.

It’s been a busy day for the royal couple, as before opening Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, Charles received a tour of religious buildings.

He attended the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri following the canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman and was met by the Archbishop of Birmingham and the Provost of the Birmingham Oratory, Father Ignatius Harrison, who guided him through the ornate nave.

The King, who was smartly dressed in a grey suit and a red patterned tie, was shown the Cardinal’s room, which has remained untouched since his death in 1890 and still contains Newman’s personal effects.

The monarch’s tour, conducted by Mr Daniel Joyce, curator of the Newman Museum, also took in the library, which is home to several historic items.

Among these are The Polyglot Bible from 1657, which has a dedication to King Charles II, the handwritten manuscript of ‘The Dream of Gerontius’, the library’s oldest book, and Cardinal John Henry Newman’s viola, which dates to 1800.

Charles smiled as he looked around the rooms and appeared fascinated by the religious books on the display in the library.

He was pictured studying the text of one of the volumes and enjoying a discussion with curator Daniel Joyce.

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The queen, who paired her monochrome dress with beige suede shoes, took the time to speak to individual soldiers during her visit

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She appeared deeply interested in the soldiers’ experiences

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Camilla also met the soldiers’ partners and was introduced to their children

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She braved the rain for today’s royal engagement in Hampshire

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He received a tour of the religious building, including its library (pictured), where he viewed historic religious texts

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His Majesty appeared fascinated by one of the historic books, which he paid close attention to during his visit

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Charles was dressed in a grey suit complete with a red patterned tie for the occasion

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He appeared very cheerful as he was showing around the building by the Archbishop of Birmingham and the Provost of the Birmingham Oratory, Father Ignatius Harrison (left)

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The library was packed full of religious texts, with some dating back to the 17th century

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The curator of the Newman Museum, Daniel Joyce, took his time to show Charles the famous texts

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The monarch appeared delighted to meet members of the religious community based at Birmingham Oratory

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Charles also unveiled a plaque in the courtyard to commemorate his visit

His Majesty put on an animated display as he met members of the Oratory community, including the priests, brothers and staff, and later unveiled a plaque in the courtyard to commemorate the visit.

Cardinal John Henry Newman established the Birmingham Oratory in 1848, one year after he had joined the Congregation of the Oratory in Rome.

The current church building dates to 1901, when it was built to commemorate the Cardinal, and was inspired by Saint Philip Neri’s own Oratory in the Oratorio dei Filippini in the Italian capital.

John Henry Newman was created a cardinal in 1879 but decided to stay at the Oratory until his death in 1890.

Later, in 2019, he was canonised at the Vatican, which King Charles attended as the Prince of Wales. Before the ceremony, which took place in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican, Charles met Pope Francis.