King Charles III’s stepson, Tom Parker Bowles, has described cancer as “a b******” but noted that the monarch is a “tough man” as he continues treatment following a diagnosis with the illness earlier this year.

Parker Bowles is the eldest child of Queen Camilla, and in addition to becoming Charles’ stepson when his mother married the heir to the throne in 2005, is also the king’s godson.

He is a food writer and critic who has authored several books and has become a fixture in Britain’s media landscape, regularly offering commentary on restaurants and gastronomic developments.

Alongside his sister, Laura, Parker Bowles has regularly attended large-scale royal events since his mother’s marriage and was notably present when she was crowned queen at the coronation in 2023.

Ahead of the publication of his latest book Cooking & The Crown: Royal Recipes From Queen Victoria to King Charles III, Parker Bowles gave British Vogue a rare insight into his relationships with the royals.

“Cancer, it really is a b******,” he said when asked about his stepfather’s health. Charles announced his cancer diagnosis in February after a short stay in hospital in January to undergo a routine treatment for an enlarged prostate.

He subsequently cancelled several weeks of face to face engagements, being restricted to light duties and state responsibilities.

“The King’s having the best treatment,” Parker Bowles said in an update on the monarch’s health. “He’s a great man and a tough man, and you’ve just got to get on with it. Of course, anyone who has someone they love with cancer is going to worry.”

Charles was cleared by doctors to resume his in-person engagements in April and is believed to be continuing with his treatment as he prepares to undertake his first major overseas visit with the queen next month.

Charles and Camilla will visit Australia and Samoa from October 18 to 26, though the king said that his doctors had ruled out extending the trip to include a stay in New Zealand.

Speaking to Vogue, Parker Bowles also gave a unique insight into his relationships with his stepsiblings, Prince William and Prince Harry.

Of William and Princess Kate, he said: “I absolutely adore both of them.”

“You just want everyone to be happy,” he concluded.

Newsweek approached Buckingham Palace via email for comment.

James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek‘s royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek‘s The Royals Facebook page.

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