King Charles breaks silence over cancer diagnosis

King Charles has spoken for the first time about his illness since Buckingham Palace revealed he is battling cancer.

King Charles III has spoken for the first time since his cancer diagnosis to thank the public for its support, saying the messages have been a “comfort” and “encouragement” as he undergoes treatment.

His Majesty, 75, issued a “heartfelt” thank you a week after revealing he had a form of cancer that was discovered while he underwent surgery for an enlarged prostate.

Addressing supporters from his home on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where he is recovering with Queen Camilla after starting treatment, he said on Saturday evening local time: “I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days.”

King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave as they leave by car from Clarence House in London last week. Picture: AFP

In a statement released from Sandringham House, the King said he was “heartened” that sharing his own diagnosis had boosted public understanding about the disease and his own admiration for the work of cancer charities and organisations that support patients and their families.

“As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement,” he said.

“It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organisations which support cancer patients and their families across the UK and wider world.

“My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience.”

The King’s aides revealed in a statement last Monday that the monarch had been diagnosed with “a form of cancer” while undergoing planned surgery for an enlarged prostate at the London Clinic, where his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, had also been admitted for abdominal surgery.

It is understood he began treatment at Sandringham on Tuesday, the day after he was visited at his London residence at Clarence House, by his youngest son, Prince Harry, who “took it upon himself” to fly 11 hours to see his father from his home in LA.

The King has shelved all public engagements until further notice and is working from home, signing off affairs of state documents in his red box.

Buckingham Palace announced on Monday evening in 138-word statement the King “remains wholly positive about his treatment” but stopped short of sharing his exact diagnosis.

“His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer,” the statement read.

Two days later, the royal family’s social media team issued a graphic in partnership with the UK charity Macmillan Cancer Support to highlight resources for cancer information and support.

The Palace maintains the King is looking forward to returning to public duty as soon as possible but has been advised to postpone his public-facing engagements after starting a schedule of treatments.

He plans to resume his weekly Wednesday audiences with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak face-to-face on February 21.

SURPRISE PRINCESS CATHERINE MOVE

The Princess of Wales, who was discharged from hospital after two weeks, is said to have left her home Adelaide Cottage in Windsor on Friday with the Prince of Wales and their three children to be near King Charles and Queen Camilla in Norfolk for the school half term where they will stay for the week.

The Princess and her family will be staying at Anmer Hall, their ten-bedroom home on the Sandringham estate.

Princess Catherine spent 13 days at the private London Clinic before she was allowed to continue her recovery at home.

The Palace has kept the reasons for her surgery private, other than to say it was not cancer, but the operation was considered to be major given the length of time she stayed in hospital and due to the fact she is unlikely to be seen carrying out any frontline duties until after Easter.

“Catherine is recovering well,” a source told The Sun.

Catherine, Princess of Wales has left home for the first time since her major surgery. File Picture: AFP

“She was looking forward to a change of scene and will be able to take it easy in Norfolk while the children let off steam with William.”

It comes amid reports the Prince of Wales never considered meeting his brother during his whirlwind trip to the UK this week because he has not apologised for causing the family years of pain.

It is understood Prince William continued with his first day back at work after his father’s diagnosis, and after caring for his wife who has undergone abdominal surgery, without expecting to meet Prince Harry.

Prince William drives himself away from the London Clinic where Princess Catherine was recovering after her operation. Picture: AFP

Sources close to the Duke of Sussex said if the opportunity arose for him to see his brother he would have “gladly accepted it”.

Instead, Prince Harry returned home to LA the day after visiting his father at Clarence House – without seeing Prince William.

The Duke caused a painful rift with his family, with the publication of his book, Spare, in which he attacked the King for being “emotionally cold” when he didn’t hug him while delivering news his mother Diana had died; disclosed details of a fight with his brother in London in 2019, and revealed feuds between both the Princess of Wales and Duchess of Sussex.

Police officers outside The London Clinic on January 18, 2024 in London where Catherine, The Princess of Wales, was admitted for abdominal surgery. Picture: GC Images

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told The Sun: “William would be upset that Harry yet again has chosen to make this visit to see his father a PR opportunity”.

“As far as William is concerned he has absolutely no interest in speaking to Harry until Harry behaves like a gentleman and apologises for the years of rudeness and slurs he has aimed at William and the Princess of Wales,” she said.

“William must be privately furious thinking over all the years how he supported Harry and at this one moment in his life when his 75-year-old father and wife of 13 years are both potentially seriously unwell, all Harry can think about is Harry and using it as an opportunity to announce his arrival and expect to see William.

“Harry can’t resist an opportunity to think about Harry and not the bigger picture.”

Originally published as King Charles breaks silence over cancer diagnosis