'As you get older, it gets worse': King Charles issues health warning to Papua New Guinea rugby league players
By Karishma Sarkari|
King Charles spent some time airside at RAF Northolt in London on Thursday to unveil a new aircraft that will deliver aid to Papua New Guinea (PNG).
The outing was timed to celebrate the 80th anniversary of humanitarian air operator Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), as well as the 50th anniversary of PNG's independence.
His Majesty was seen laughing and enjoying the outing in a navy suit, following a health setback that saw him briefly hospitalised exactly a week ago.
READ MORE: Prince Harry speaks out as watchdog launches Senetable probe
The 76-year-old was taken to The London Clinic for "a short period of observation" after suffering some side effects from his on-going cancer treatment.
After a few days of rest and recovery, King Charles resumed his public duties on Tuesday in Windsor and looked comfortable on Thursday's outing in London.
However, he did allude to his health while chatting with PNG rugby league players, who attended the celebrations.
Judah Rimbu, Liam Horne, Sylvester Namo and Jeremiah Simbiken, who represent West Yorkshire's Castleford Tigers in the UK Super League competition, spent some time chatting to the monarch and got a health warning from him.
READ MORE: Meghan's admission as she invites journalist into kitchen
"Do be careful - as you get older, it gets worse, that's the trouble," the King cautioned the players.
"As I'm discovering," he added with a chuckle.
Before moving on from the group, King Charles reminisced for a moment about his memories of PNG.
"I first went there in the 90s, it makes me feel very old," he said with a laughed.
The monarch unveilled the charity's new Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft, which will deliver aid to remote regions in PNG, by pressing a large buzzer to open a hanger door.
King Charles was shown around the aircraft by three MAF representatives, including pilot Joseph Tua, who sported traditional face painting for his meeting with the monarch.
King Charles was joined in the hanger at RAF Northolt by MAF staff and volunteers, as well as PNG dignitaries.
MAF was founded at the end of World War II by a group of Royal Air Force (RAF) officers who wished to use the flight skills they'd acquired for a good cause.
The international development organisation now flies to 14,000 remote destinations offering support to isolated communities, including our Indigenous community in Arnhem Land.
Their flights fly food to market, deliver building equipment, transport teachers and carry out medical evacuations in partnership with governments and other organisations.
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
The MAF operation in PNG is their busiest with the charity employing and training around 100 local staff.
Despite King Charles' recent health setback amid treatment for the undisclosed cancer, which was diagnosed following a routine prostate surgery in January 2024, the monarch is still expected to go ahead with his state visit to Italy later this week.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
