King swaps cancer stories with student at garden party

Telegraph

14-05-2025

The King swapped cancer stories with a student as he hosted a Buckingham Palace garden party in sweltering heat.
The monarch, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer last February and is still receiving weekly treatment, chatted to Stamford Collis, 22, an international relations student at Exeter University, who is also suffering from cancer.
Mr Collis said afterwards: 'He was asking me about the treatment I have starting in June and spoke to me about food and diet. He also asked me if I had undergone radiation treatment, which I had earlier this year.'
The King, 76, was heard to say: 'It's sometimes about the diet and what you eat. It can help.'
The King and Queen shook hundreds of hands at the garden party, the first to be held for those working in the education and skills sector.
Guests including Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, were treated to a performance by students from the Royal Ballet School as well as music from the British Army Band Catterick and the Band of The Royal Air Force Regiment.
The Queen, 77, expressed concern for those dressed up in their finery under the blazing sun, telling one guest: 'I hope you aren't too warm. I do hope you have had the chance to put your feet up and have a drink.'
Meanwhile, the King was said to be 'in his element' as he chatted to one guest who founded a charity that teaches endangered heritage arts and crafts and delighted another when he recognised her Nigerian heritage.
Patricia Alban from East Kent, set up Sammy's Foundation in memory of her son, who was a talented carpenter and upholsterer but suffered from Prader-Willi Syndrome and autism and died in 2020, aged 13.
She began the foundation last December, on what would have been her son's birthday, and has been helping young people suffering from neurological conditions learn high-end craftsmanship such as weaving and upholstery.
'I told Sammy, 'One day I will meet the king and tell him about you,'' she said.
'And here I am. I can't believe it. He would have been so proud. I feel quite emotional. I feel like he is there. It's been a dream of mine.
'His Majesty was in his element talking about crafts, it is something he is passionate about. And he was suggesting people and organisations I could talk to.'
When the King spotted a group of ladies wearing colourful traditional dress, he told them: 'You must be from Nigeria?'
'Yes!' said Prof Adetoro Adegoke, from Buckinghamshire New University.
She said afterwards: 'I was vibing him to come over here. He told me he had been to Nigeria and it was vast. How amazing that he recognised Yoruba immediately. Wonderful man.'
The King also met popular social media teacher and influencer Tom Egleton, who goes by 'Tommy T' online and has millions of followers on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.
Mr Egleton, a special educational needs specialist, described how he started posting videos in lockdown to help his students at City College in Norwich who were struggling but found himself to be a social media sensation.