King Charles has done something no one was expecting during a visit to a UK cancer centre on Tuesday. The King, who continues to undergo cancer treatment after being diagnosed with the disease in 2024, visited York Hospital’s newly redeveloped Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Cancer Centre to meet cancer patients, nurses and staff involved in the £2.4million project. King Charles, who has been a patron of Macmillan Cancer Support since 1997, was shown around the centre’s brand-new, purpose-built garden during his visit.
Designed as a tranquil outdoor sanctuary for patients and staff away from the clinical treatment rooms, the garden provided one of the most poignant moments of the day. There, the King spent time with volunteers and planted a special “Macmillan Rose” to commemorate the upcoming July opening of the facility.
At the garden, the King warmly greeted Lady Halifax with a hug and kisses on both cheeks in a rare public display of affection from the monarch.
Lady Halifax previously served as President of the Macmillan Yorkshire Appeal for over 20 years and has been a close family friend of the King for decades. The King has been a regular guest at the Halifax family’s Garrowby Estate in Yorkshire since 1970.
During the visit, Lady Halifax introduced him to Angie Lunt, a former cancer patient from York who helped shape the design of the new centre after using its support services during her own treatment.
“This is one of the most amazing women you’ll meet,” she told him.
Speaking to Ms Lunt, the King then said: “So they consulted you on all the details to make it all most effective? Well done, you.”
At the newly redeveloped cancer centre, the King spent time speaking with patients who helped shape the new facility, which has been designed with input from more than 70 local people affected by cancer.
From the furniture and artwork to the colour schemes and layout, patients played a major role in creating a calmer and more welcoming environment.
Among those he met was Louise Rhodes, who is living with stage 4 secondary breast cancer. During their conversation, Charles reflected on the widespread impact of the disease, reportedly telling her: “It’s everywhere.”
He also stressed the importance of emotional support during treatment, telling patients how vital it is “to be able to talk” about their experiences.