Gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh has spoken of his admiration for King Charles for ‘battling on’ despite the inevitable fatigue caused by his cancer treatment.
The veteran broadcaster is a long-standing friend of the monarch, who is still undergoing treatment for an undisclosed cancer which was diagnosed in 2024.
In March the King was admitted to hospital with temporary side effects from his cancer treatment but was back at work just 10 days later as he conducted a state visit to Italy in April.
Speaking exclusively to The Mail, Mr Titchmarsh said: ‘He has had his share of ill health.
‘I feel for him hugely, to battle on as he has through that and still be as resolved to make a difference as he is, when he must be incredibly fatigued. He’s a man with an enormous sense of goodwill and kindness.’
The two men, who are both 76, share a love of gardening and concern for the environment.
‘He very kindly calls me a friend,’ added Mr Titchmarsh.
‘We first met 40 years ago so I’ve known him for a long time. I designed some gardens for people with mobility issues and he came to open them in 1985 when we were both in our 30s.
Mr Titchmarsh and the King share a love of gardening and concern for the environment
The pair, who are both 76, first met 40 years ago and now consider each other friends
‘He told me he used to listen to me on the radio. You don’t imagine the future king would even know who you are.
‘But he did, and we’ve kept in touch all these years.’
On Thursday, Mr Titchmarsh was at the King’s Foundation Awards ceremony at St James’ Palace.
The charity, founded by the King in 1990 and based at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, has trained more than 115,000 students in traditional crafts and environmental education.
Mr Titchmarsh said: ‘The gardens at Dumfries House were a wilderness but King Charles has invigorated the place, helped by local enthusiasm.
‘He is a man who gets things done. He genuinely cares about people.
‘We both believe in handing on the baton to the next generation, bequeathing skills to them and leaving the place in a fit state.
‘He used to be such a voice in the wilderness and people thought he was from left field, but now his views are mainstream.’
