Cancer sufferer who deeply moved King Charles III dies hours before pair due to meet
By Victoria Ward
An "inspirational" cancer sufferer who received a private letter from the King died just hours before he was due to meet the monarch and the Queen.
Simon Boas had hoped to meet the royal couple this week during their official visit to Jersey.
The King sent the personal note to Mr Boas, 47, last week, shortly after the aid worker took a turn for the worse and was moved into a hospice.
READ MORE: Millions devastated at mum's message no one wanted to read
Simon Boas, an aid worker from Jersey, died just hours before he was set to meet King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Jersey Overseas Aid
READ MORE: New photo of Charlotte and Louis taken by Kate
He died on Monday, just hours before the King and Queen arrived in St Helier for a two-day visit to the Channel Islands.
Mr Boas, who worked for Jersey Overseas Aid, had been due to join the royal couple at a tea party on Monday.
However, when his condition worsened just days before the royal visit, the King sent him a personal letter, telling him what an inspiration he had been.
While the contents of the letter are private, it is understood that the King said he was deeply moved by his story and how much he had hoped to meet him.
The letter was hand-delivered to Mr Boas by Vice-Adml Jerry Kyd, the island's Lieutenant Governor, at Jersey Hospice on Thursday.
A bottle of Muscadet, a tipple Mr Boas enjoyed, was also brought over to Jersey as a gift.
READ MORE: Special meaning hidden in Kate's outfit at triumphant return
Charles, pictured here in Scotland in July, is understood to have sent Boas a private letter before his death. Getty
READ MORE: Devastating common thread linking '90s co-stars
However, the aid worker died shortly before the King and Queen arrived, so instead the wine will be sent to his family.
Mr Boas was diagnosed with throat cancer last September.
He went on to write several articles about his illness, as well as a book called A Beginner's Guide to Dying, which is due to be published later this year.
On Monday, the King and Queen were rushed out of an engagement involving cows and potato farmers in Jersey because of a security concern.
The visit to the outdoor expo event in St Helier was suddenly cut short and the couple were ushered into a nearby hotel.
However, following an investigation it turned out to be a false alarm.
© Telegraph Media Group Limited 2024
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
Most viewed in Royals
King Charles III popularity plummets to lowest levels since ascension
Police probe Jeffrey Epstein’s time spent at Balmoral with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Harry and Meghan taking break from public life so they don’t ‘overshadow the royal family’
Met Police refers itself to watchdog over handling of Thomas Markle allegations
