KING Charles' cancer treatment will continue into next year, it has been reported.

The King's recovery is "moving in a positive direction" but is still ongoing, Sky News reports.

A source told the broadcaster: "His treatment has been moving in a positive direction.

"As a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into next year."

The King, who is still considered a "newbie monarch" in comparison with his mother's record-breaking tenure, has endured a difficult second year as sovereign.

He was diagnosed with cancer and had to deal with ongoing treatment, while his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, was also being treated for the condition.

But a source said brave Charles had coped with the past year with a "determination to be as public as he was able" to reassure the nation about how much he could still do.

He has also been buoyed by Queen Camilla's support.

A source said: "Her natural warmth, resilience and sense of humour, as I'm sure any patient will tell you, is a wonderful thing to have.

"Of course it's been a stressful year for Her Majesty, too, but there was never a sense of despondency, only a determination that they would get through this, as with so many other challenging issues in the past."

Yesterday Kate and Wills skipped King Charles's pre-Christmas lunch - after Andrew pulled out amid the alleged Chinese spy scandal.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were in Norfolk as planned.

The Sun exclusively revealed insiders had urged Andrew to "uninvite himself" from the family's pre-festive bash.

He was due to attend the lunch at the palace but a source said: “He is under pressure to step away.”

It comes just days after the Duke of York said he won't be joining the Royal Family at Sandringham for the usual celebrations on Christmas Day.

It is understood his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, has also dropped out from the Norfolk festivities.

The pair are said to be staying at Royal Lodge, in Windsor, for the period instead.