King Charles III, who acceded to the British throne on 8 September 2022 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, continues to serve as monarch of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Realms. As of mid-2025, he remains engaged in public duties, diplomatic engagements, and charitable leadership while also managing ongoing health treatment with transparency and public goodwill.
King Charles’s Accession and Coronation
Following Queen Elizabeth II’s historic 70-year reign, Charles became King immediately upon her death. His formal coronation ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey on 6 May 2023. The ceremony combined tradition and modern touches, highlighting Charles’s commitment to service, sustainability, and interfaith dialogue.
According to BBC News and The Guardian:
- The coronation included representatives from across the UK and Commonwealth.
- It featured a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship, a lifelong passion of Charles.
- Queen Camilla was crowned alongside him as Queen Consort.
Source:
- BBC News – King Charles III Coronation
Royal Duties and Commonwealth Engagement
King Charles has long been known for his dedication to public service and diplomacy. As monarch, he serves as the ceremonial head of state for the UK and 14 other Commonwealth realms, and as the symbolic leader of the wider Commonwealth of Nations, an organization of over 50 countries.
His priorities include:
- Environmental leadership: Continuing advocacy for climate change action and biodiversity protection, building on decades of work through initiatives such as the Prince’s Trust, Sustainable Markets Initiative, and Terra Carta.
- Faith and community engagement: Supporting interfaith dialogue and social cohesion, visiting faith communities across the UK.
- Charity leadership: Maintaining patronage of over 400 charities and organizations across sectors from youth opportunity to arts and heritage.
Sources:
- Royal.uk – The King’s Charities
- The Guardian – King Charles’s Environmental Record
Health Updates: Transparent but Private
In February 2024, Buckingham Palace publicly confirmed that King Charles was diagnosed with cancer following treatment for an enlarged prostate. The type of cancer has not been disclosed, consistent with his right to medical privacy. However, the Palace has kept the public updated with verified, respectful information.
Key points confirmed by BBC, Sky News, and Reuters:
- The King began outpatient treatment early in 2024.
- He temporarily reduced some public engagements while continuing state business, including meetings with the Prime Minister and Privy Council.
- Charles resumed selected public appearances after medical guidance, reflecting careful balance between health and duty.
- Palace officials have emphasized optimism about treatment and recovery.
Sources:
- BBC News – King Charles Cancer Diagnosis
- Reuters – King Charles Cancer Treatment
International and Domestic Engagements in 2025
Despite his health treatment, King Charles has continued to lead significant royal engagements in 2025. A State Visit to Australia and the South Pacific has been discussed for 2025, with planning reportedly under way, but dates have not been officially confirmed.
Key details (Royal.uk, BBC News):
- The King and Queen Camilla landed in Sydney, Australia in June 2025.
- Their itinerary includes official meetings with government leaders, cultural engagements, and environmental initiatives.
- The tour also extends to Samoa, emphasizing support for small island states facing climate impacts.
These commitments highlight Charles’s determination to fulfill constitutional duties while modeling resilience and service.
Sources:
- Royal.uk – State Visit Announcements
- BBC News – King Charles Australia Visit
Family Relationships and Public Role
As monarch, King Charles balances family responsibilities with national leadership. His relationship with Prince William, the Prince of Wales and heir apparent, remains central to the continuity of the monarchy.
Prince William has increased his own royal workload, supporting causes such as homelessness, mental health, and climate change while preparing for his future role as King.
Meanwhile, relations with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, have received significant media attention since Harry and Meghan stepped back as senior working royals in 2020. Despite well-documented tensions, the Palace maintains strict privacy on personal family matters. No verified sources confirm any breakdown in communication or permanent estrangement, and the Royal Family consistently avoids commenting publicly on private conversations.
Sources:
- Royal.uk – The Royal Family
- BBC News – The Princes’ Relationship
King Charles’s Legacy and Public Support
Charles’s long record of service, stretching back more than 50 years as Prince of Wales, continues to shape his reign. His priorities include:
Environmental protection through the Sustainable Markets Initiative.
Promoting youth opportunity via The Prince’s Trust, which has supported over 1 million young people since 1976.
Building interfaith understanding and community cohesion.
Advocating heritage preservation and the arts.
Public polling in 2025 (YouGov, Ipsos) suggests stable support for the monarchy under King Charles, with many Britons appreciating his transparency about health, his longstanding environmental work, and his commitment to modernization while respecting tradition.
Sources:
- The Prince’s Trust – Impact
- Sustainable Markets Initiative
- YouGov – British Monarchy Tracker
Conclusion: A Reign of Service and Responsibility
As of mid-2025, King Charles III remains the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Realms. While managing cancer treatment, he continues to fulfill constitutional duties with transparency and resilience, embodying the values of public service and dedication inherited from Queen Elizabeth II.
Far from any suggestion of the monarchy coming to an end, Charles’s reign demonstrates the modern Royal Family’s commitment to service, sustainability, and continuity. By acknowledging health challenges publicly while maintaining his role, King Charles sets an example of duty and human dignity.
Verified Sources for Further Reading
- Royal.uk – Official Website of the British Royal Family
- BBC News – Royal Family Coverage
- Reuters – Royal News
- Sky News – UK Royal Coverage
- The Guardian – UK News
- The Prince’s Trust – Official Site
- Sustainable Markets Initiative
