King Charles created an instant bond with cancer patients during a visit to the site of a newly redeveloped centre for people living with the disease. The monarch was cheered by patients and staff at York Hospital as he toured the site before the official opening of the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Cancer Centre.
Meeting with Cancer Patients
Among those he met was Lou Rhodes, 49, who is living with stage 4 secondary breast cancer and was involved in the design and development of the centre as a patient representative. Ms Rhodes, from Hopgrove in York, described the encounter as an absolute honour. She said: "The King was just lovely, so personable, so friendly. I just seemed to connect with him straightaway."
She added: "He's got cancer, I've got cancer, and straightaway he sort of looked in my eyes, so you've got that bond I suppose. And I think he gets it, he understands, being a patient." Ms Rhodes, who lost her father to cancer, noted that after she told the King about her father's death, he remarked: "There's such a lot of it about."
Centre Development and Garden Visit
The King, royal patron of Macmillan Cancer Support, heard how the centre had been a lifeline during treatment and learned about the roles patients played in shaping the new facility, including its layout, furniture, colour schemes, and artwork. He greeted Macmillan health professionals and cancer nurse specialists, who explained how the £2.4 million redevelopment would support thousands of people living with cancer in the region each year. Charles also visited the centre's purpose-built garden and planted a Macmillan rose with Colm Gough, Macmillan personalised cancer care lead.
As he left the hospital through the main reception, he was greeted with cheers from patients and staff waiting to see him, and stopped to talk to some.
Red Squirrel Conservation Project
Earlier in the day, the King was praised for his innate understanding of the need to be in harmony with nature as he visited a project aimed at promoting red squirrels by limiting grey squirrel numbers using contraceptives. In sweltering temperatures close to 30C, Charles wore a light grey, pin-striped suit, pink shirt, and darker pink tie as he met staff at the Animal and Plant Health Agency's York Biotech Campus.
He talked to scientists and volunteers who explained the various stages of the project to develop a method of delivering oral contraceptives to grey squirrels through a feeding programme, as part of efforts to slow the rate of the species' population growth and help endangered red squirrels thrive. The King was also shown around the large pens where dozens of squirrels are bred and kept for the project, but none ventured out in the intense heat.
Dr Julie Lane, head of the National Wildlife Management Centre at the APHA, told Charles: "What a wonderful day you've given us. You've been championing our red squirrels for decades now, which is why we've been so keen to show you the work we've been doing here. Without you, this work would not be happening at all." Dr Lane added: "Your leadership with respect to looking after our native species, we're so grateful for. Plus, your innate understanding that we need to be in harmony with nature to protect our special species."
The King was presented with a framed photograph of a red squirrel by field ecologist Erin Thomas, who said she took the picture herself at the Yorkshire Arboretum. He thanked Ms Thomas, saying "that's fantastic." Speaking after, she said: "I'm happy he likes it. It's just a hobby and I never thought this would happen."
As he left the site, the King met other staff who told him they worked in the animal quarantine area. "Lots of parrots," one worker told him, to which the royal visitor replied: "It's terrifying what people bring in." He also commented: "I couldn't believe on a poster back there – racoons." The King asked whether they have to deal with snakes, and the staff replied that they were currently gearing up for this capacity.
Speaking after the visit, Dr Lane said: "He's very interested in the work that we're doing to provide an oral contraception, particularly because of his love for red squirrels." She explained that the contraceptive, delivered using a hazelnut paste, combined with standard control methods, is much more effective at reducing grey squirrel numbers. Dr Lane also noted that grey squirrels are a massive threat to biodiversity due to the damage they do to trees, and the project is not just about bringing red squirrels back but protecting the whole of nature.
