King Charles’ witty response to health question after cancer treatment update

King Charles joked “I’m still alive” as he asked after his health during his final engagement before Christmas.

Charles and Queen Camilla hailed the community spirit as they meet local community volunteers, young people, emergency services, and faith representatives, at Waltham Forest Town Hall, north London. Harvinder Rattan, Sikh faith representative, said: “Your Majesty, good morning, how are you?” The King, 76, replied, jokingly: “I’m still alive.”

It comes as it was confirmed the monarch’s cancer treatment will be ongoing in the New Year. Charles and Camilla also met locals at a reception where refreshments were provided by Havens Café, whose owner Usman Khalid is a former asylum seeker who now trains refugees to be baristas. Charles spoke to Usman and said his coffee “looks good.”

Camilla handed two bags of Buckingham Palace teddy bears to community group Citizens UK who will donate the toys to local children. George Gaillett, community organiser at Citizens UK, said afterwards: “The Queen said ‘we hope you can distribute this and they can go to the right people’.”

Alexandra Martinelli-Kinmouth, of charity The Together Space, made the King a cup of tea. She said afterwards: “I said to him I hope it’s not too cold and spoke about my charity. He smiled and said he hoped it had some honey in, which it did.”

The couple also donated food to Tracey Rogers, of Highams Park Hub, to be handed out at a food bank. Tracey said afterwards: “I went to the Coronation and told him the atmosphere was absolutely phenomenal.” Monwara Ali, CEO of Waltham Forest Community Hub, also gave the King a high-five.