King Charles’ emotional confession as he returns to work: ‘Reduced me to tears’

The monarch made an unexpectedly emotional admission as he returned to public duties following his shock cancer diagnosis.

King Charles. Picture: News Licensing/MEGA

King Charles said he has received “so many wonderful messages and cards” from the public after his cancer diagnosis they have “reduced him to tears”.

Stoic Charles, 75, returned to duty with his first engagements in more than two months as he faces ongoing treatment, reports The Sun.

He joined a meeting of the Privy Council at Buckingham Palace followed by an audience with the British Prime Minister.

Palace sources said the double-header was a sign of “State business, as usual”, coming more than two weeks after his cancer bombshell was announced.

The monarch, donning a navy pinstripe suit, beamed as he shook hands with Rishi Sunak.

Charles appeared in good spirits as he sat down for his first private audience with the PM since his latest health battle was revealed.

Charles was diagnosed with cancer earlier this month. Picture: News Licensing/MEGA

The King told the Prime Minister today he has had “so many wonderful messages and cards” that has “reduced him to tears.”

Lt Commander Will Thornton introduced the PM, saying: “The Prime Minister, Your Majesty”.

Sunak walked across the room and shook the King’s hand firmly in their first private audience since December, and said: “Good evening Your Majesty, very nice to see you.

“Bit of a gap,” Charles responded.

Sunak replied: “A bit, but wonderful to see you looking so well.”

The King met with the British PM on Wednesday. Picture: Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The smartly-dressed King looked happy and relaxed and joked off his health scare which has seen both an operation for an enlarged prostate and cancer diagnosis since they last met.

Charles replied: “Well, it’s all done by mirrors.”

They both laughed, and Sunak said: “Well, we are all behind you, the country is behind you.”

“I’ve had so many wonderful messages and cards. Reduced me to tears most of the time,” Charles told him.

“I can imagine, as I said, everyone is behind you, and it’s been nice to see the spotlight that it’s shone on the work the charities do in this area,” Sunak responded.

Charles said: “I hear there been a lot more interest on those main wonderful cancer charities many of which I’ve been patron for years.”

Sunak added: “They’ve done incredible work up and down the country, nice to be recognised.”

The pair then sat down for their private audience.

Return of the King

The King’s last in-person outing was an investiture at Windsor Castle on December 19.

On Wednesday, Charles held a Privy Council meeting and also swore in new member Michael Tomlinson, Minister of State for Illegal Migration.

After the private 4.30pm meeting, the first Privy Council this year, the King held his traditional face-to-face audience with the Prime Minister at 5.45pm.

It lasted around 45 minutes.

Both events took place at Buckingham Palace.

Charles and Camilla waved to onlookers after attending a service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in eastern England on February 11, 2024. Picture: Justin Tallis/AFP

The King was last seen walking to church in Sandringham where he had been resting.

This week, he’s been in London and Windsor Castle, but is expected to continue his recuperation from cancer treatment at Windsor and Highgrove, in the coming weeks.

The King’s plan, drawn up after his operation for an enlarged prostate, was to return to work from Wednesday.

He is set to be out of action for several more weeks or even months while he is an outpatient at a London hospital where he is having treatment for cancer.

Princess Anne and Prince of Wales have both stood in at investitures for the King in recent weeks, according to the Court Circular official list royal engagements.

His last public engagement was a trip to the Royal Courts of Justice on December 14th.

The evening before, on December 13, he held his most recent Privy Council and audience with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Charles spoke to the PM on the phone on Wednesday, February 7, in a “goodwill” conversation rather than their weekly audience.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as King Charles’ emotional confession as he returns to work: ‘Reduced me to tears’