King Charles Has a Quick Response After 104-Year-Old Veteran Says He's 'Always Concerned' for Monarch's Health
King Charles Has a Quick Response After 104-Year-Old Veteran Says He's 'Always Concerned' for Monarch's Health
Meredith KileWed, July 15, 2026 at 4:50 PM UTC
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King Charles holds hands with James Fenton, 104, a World War II veteran at ‘Heroes On The Water Isle of Man’, in Port Soderick on July 14, 20245Credit: Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP via Getty -
King Charles shared a sweet moment with a 104-year-old World War II veteran while visiting the Isle of Man
During a visit to a military charity on July 15, the King reunited with James Fenton, a Burma Star recipient, whom he first met at a VJ Day anniversary event last year
The King commiserated with Fenton over the pains of aging and had a joke when Fenton expressed concerns over the monarch's health
King Charles shared a sweet moment with a familiar face during a visit to the Isle of Man.
On Wednesday, July 15, the monarch visited Heroes On The Water Isle of Man, a charity that supports military veterans, emergency service personnel and other uniformed public servants through kayak angling and outdoor activities. There, he reunited with James Fenton, a 104-year-old World War II veteran.
“I wasn’t expecting to find you here,” the King, 77, remarked, warmly taking Fenton’s hand as he sat down to chat.
“I’ve been waiting for this for quite some time,” Fenton replied. “I hope you’re all well, sir.”
“Not too bad, thank you very much, but I don’t know how you do it,” the King quipped. “It’s bad enough at my age."
"You just have to keep going," Fenton said, adding that he's "always concerned" for the King's health.
King Charles replied, "It is terrible because bits keep dropping off!” prompting
King Charles announced his diagnosis of an undisclosed type of cancer in 2024. He's continued to receive treatment, sharing late last year that his treatments would be reduced in 2026.
While avoiding the word “remission,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson previously confirmed that the King’s recovery reached a notably positive stage.
"His Majesty has responded exceptionally well to treatment, and his doctors advise that ongoing measures will now move into a precautionary phase," the spokesperson said. "This position will be continuously monitored and reviewed to protect and prioritize his continued recovery."
The King previously met Fenton, a Burma Star recipient who served as a bombardier with the 178th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, during the 80th anniversary celebrations of VJ Day in London last year.
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“Thank God you’re still there,” the King said, before pointing out the veteran’s wide-brimmed hat. “You’ve still got your slouch hat on.”
“Thank you, sir,” Fenton said, adding, “I hope you can believe just how delighted I am."
"It’s a very special moment for me," the monarch said.
Before their time was up, he asked the King to pass along his regards to Queen Camilla, noting that he had also previously met the queen consort.
In response, King Charles joked, “Don’t tell me you’re another one who danced with her!”
King Charles speaks to volunteers at the Heroes On The Water charity in Port Soderick, Isle of Man, on July 14, 2026Credit: Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty
The King’s visit to the Isle of Man, his first since assuming the title of Lord of Mann upon his coronation, also included an address to the island’s parliament, Tynwald, in which he said some words in the ancient Manx language.
He told the assembly, “Manx Language – Blein ny Gaelgey,” then quipped, “I very much hope I have not succeeded at this point in massacring this wonderful celebration of your language.”
King Charles also attended a garden party on the grounds of Government House, meeting with local farmers and cultural representatives, and visited the Douglas Promenade, the main seafront walkway of the Manx capital. There, he took a ride on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, the oldest horse-drawn passenger tramway that remains in service in the world.
King Charles rides the Douglas Bay Horse tramway on the Douglas Promenade on the Isle of Man on July 14, 2026Credit: Chris Jackson / POOL / AFP via Getty
King Charles' visit came just days after his reunion with Prince Harry and the Duke of Sussex's family. The visit also included Meghan Markle returning to the U.K. with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, for the first time since 2022, and the reunion marked the first time that the King had seen his California-based grandchildren in four years.
“One of the strangenesses of the monarchy is that we are all encouraged to forget they’re human beings because they’re representatives of the institution,” royal author Catherine Mayer told PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. “But at its heart it is just a family—and this family has gone through extraordinary upheavals. Whatever you think of the monarchy, this is a moment most of us wanted to see happen.”
on People
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