King Charles will be able to work five days a week again in the new year

According to the Telegraph, the king is now expected to go ahead with planned overseas travel, with engagements likely to include a springtime visit to the US to mark the country's 250th anniversary and to Antigua and Barbados later int he year for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting.

Although the monarch's treatment schedule hasn't had a major impact on his public engagements, it has meant he has needed to take around five hours a week away from his preferred full working diary.

But the king's plans for both work and treatment will be designed around "protecting and prioritising" his recovery.

The monarch shared the news his treatment plan is set to be reduced in a video message for Channel 4's Stand Up To Cancer broadcast, in which he also highlighted the importance of early diagnosis.

The royal - who, said that during his own journey, he has been "profoundly moved" by the "community of care" for every cancer patient - said: "Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives.

"Now, I've heard this message repeatedly during my visits to cancer centres across the country. I know, too, what a difference it has made in my own case, enabling me to continue leading an active life, even while undergoing treatment.

"Indeed, today, I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctor's orders, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the New Year.

"This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years.

"Testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the 50 per cent of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives."

However, the monarch is concerned that "at least nine million people in our country are not up to date with the cancer screenings available to them".

The king noted a cancer diagnosis "can feel overwhelming", and has heard that some people avoid screening because "they imagine it may be frightening, embarrassing or uncomfortable".

However, he said that once people "finally take up their invitation, they are glad they took part".

He added: "A few moments of minor inconvenience are a small price to pay for the reassurance that comes for most people when they are either told they don't need further tests or for some are given the chance to enable early detection with the lifesaving intervention that can follow."

The royal was "encouraged" to learn about a new national screening checker, which was launched earlier this month and tells people who are currently eligible for breast, bowel, or cervical cancer screening programmes.

He said: "It demystifies the process, answers your questions, and guides you towards taking that crucial step, as I have observed before, the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion, but compassion must be paired with action."

He concluded his message by encouraging people to help catch cancer early.

The monarch said: "This December, as we gather to reflect on the year past, I pray that we can each pledge as part of our resolutions for the year ahead to play our part in helping to catch cancer early in your life, for all the life of someone you love may depend upon it."