'He's frustrated': King Charles's nephew Peter Phillips says monarch's cancer recovery 'taking a little longer'

Phillips, 46, is the only son of Princess Anne and her first husband Captain Mark Phillips. He was Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip's first grandchild.

At the time of his birth, Phillips was 5th in the line of succession to the British throne but has fallen down to the 18th position following the births of his cousins and their children.

Phillips is currently visiting Australia as patron of charity ISPS Handa, which supports disabled sportsmen and women, and sat down for an exclusive interview with Sky News Australia’s Royal Report where he opened up about Charles’s cancer recovery.

“He's in good spirits,” Phillips revealed during the sit down with Sky News Australia host Caroline Di Russo.

“I think, ultimately, he's hugely frustrated. he's frustrated that he can't get on and do everything that he wants to be able to do.

“But he is very pragmatic (and) he understands that there's a period of time that he really needs to focus on himself.”

Charles, 75, was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer while undergoing a separate procedure to treat an enlarged prostate in January.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the diagnosis on February 5, sparking a global outpouring of concern for the new monarch who only ascended the throne about 18 months ago.

Although Charles has mostly withdrawn from public life, he continues to receive his government red boxes and hold meetings with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to ensure the United Kingdom can function as normal.

Phillips revealed that Charles was “pushing” staff to resume more of his royal duties against the advice of his doctors.

“He is always pushing, his staff and everybody and his doctors and nurses to be able to say ‘actually come on, you know, can I do this? Can I do that?’" Phillips said.

“So the overriding message would be that he's obviously very keen to get back to a form of normality.

“And he's probably frustrated that, recovery is taking a little longer than probably he would want it to.” 

The monarch’s illness has cast doubt on a range of royal engagements slated for 2024, including Charles and Camilla’s first planned tour of Australia since becoming King and Queen, respectively.

However, Phillips revealed that Charles and Camilla are “very keen” to visit Australia as soon as the King’s health has stabilised.

“They would obviously love to see as many people as possible,” he said.

“You know, they are they are very keen and very active to be able to, you know, be seen and meet as many people as possible from all walks of life.

“And that is, you know, that is what their, their sort of set the goal on being able to be seen to be, you know, accessible to as many people as possible.”

Phillips sat down with Sky News Australia prior to Princess Catherine announcing her own cancer battle on Friday.

The Princess of Wales released an emotional video revealing she is undergoing chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with the disease earlier this year.