King Charles Opens Birmingham Hospital with Warmth, Wit, and Reflections on Age
King Charles returned to public duties this week with a characteristically warm and humorous visit to the newly opened Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick. The engagement marked his first official outing of the autumn, following a pause in royal duties earlier this year after he experienced complications from his ongoing cancer treatment.
The monarch was quick to put patients and staff at ease, often joking about the trials of ageing. When 85-year-old Jacqueline Page remarked that she was “wearing out,” the King replied with a smile: “That’s the terrible thing I’m discovering. Bits don’t work so well when you get past 70.”
Mrs. Page, who fondly recalled his visit to the Midlands in the 1970s, reminded him of the day he flew in by helicopter. Reflecting on her story, His Majesty remarked that the passing of time can be “terrifying,” but his tone was light, striking a balance between empathy and humour.
The King also spoke candidly with cancer patients about the challenges of diagnosis and treatment. When Matthew Shinda shared his frustrations over delays in care for prostate cancer, Charles responded sympathetically: “I’m very sorry about that, it’s so frustrating.” He went on to discuss new advances in treatment, acknowledging that while medical progress offers hope, waiting for improvements to reach patients can be difficult.
In a lighter exchange, Mr. Shinda’s daughter mentioned her father’s fondness for whisky. The King joked: “Do they allow you a tiny dram of whisky occasionally? I knew I should have brought one.” He added, with a mischievous grin, that it was “supposed to be very good for the heart.”
Another patient, Phillip Barnard, described his ongoing immunotherapy treatment for lung cancer. The King, clearly interested in the details, asked about side effects and noted how widespread such therapies are becoming.
The visit was not without moments of joy. The King met the first baby born at the hospital, Hernata Yonas, who arrived just 90 minutes after the maternity ward opened last October. He also greeted staff, volunteers, and well-wishers, pausing for selfies, handshakes, and words of encouragement.
Earlier in the day, the King paid a deeply personal visit to Birmingham’s Oratory of St Philip Neri, founded by Cardinal John Henry Newman, whom he had honoured by attending his canonisation in Rome. King Charles admired personal items belonging to Newman and took particular interest in an original handwritten score of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, inspired by Newman’s poetry.
The visit showcased the King’s enduring commitment to healthcare, community, and interfaith dialogue, but it was his self-deprecating humour and genuine empathy that left the greatest impression on those he met. For patients and staff alike, the day was a reminder of the monarch’s ability to connect on a deeply human level — with warmth, wit, and wisdom.
