King is ‘fine’ and ‘looking forward to getting back to work’, Camilla says

The Queen has said the King is “fine” and “looking forward to getting back to work” as he awaits treatment for an enlarged prostate.

Camilla was on a solo visit to Aberdeen Art Gallery on Thursday to open its new Safe Space, an initiative to provide help and guidance to people if they suspect someone is living with domestic abuse.

Asked about the King by the Lord Provost, she replied: “He’s fine, thank-you very much. Looking forward to getting back to work.”

Buckingham Palace, in an unprecedented double royal health scare, announced the news on Wednesday just an hour-and-a-half after Kensington Palace revealed the Princess of Wales had undergone abdominal surgery.

The 75-year-old monarch, who acceded to the throne 16 months ago, will be admitted to hospital next week.

Lord Provost David Cameron was among a group of officials who greeted Camilla on her arrival at the gallery.

The Queen focused on the importance of bringing an end to this “terrible domestic abuse” as she opened the Safe Space.

“It’s so important having a safe space for people who have undergone all these terrible things.

“Somewhere where they come and feel safe and have somebody to talk to who understands what they’re going through, so I think you’re pioneers to have it in this wonderful gallery which I’ve had the pleasure of visiting before and, just to say, it helps so much with this campaign to hopefully one day obliterate this terrible domestic abuse.”

Camilla was introduced to Suzanne Jacob, chief executive of domestic abuse charity SafeLives which is behind the Safe Space initiative, and Aberdeen City Council chief executive Angela Scott.

The Queen, who last visited the gallery with the King in 2021 – met the team which has been trained to obtain the venue’s Safe Space status as well as other SafeLives representatives.

The art will be visible both internally and externally, to signify the venue as a safe space location.

Camilla concluded her visit by officially unveiling Swanson’s artwork in memory of survivors and those lost to domestic abuse.

She said: “I just basically thanked her for coming here and shining the spotlight on this because it’s such an important thing.

“The way she spoke about it you can tell that she’s genuinely interested and she wants to eradicate this as much as we all do.”