The personal note King Charles left guests at Buckingham Palace reception

London: King Charles has opened up about his experience with cancer, saying such a diagnosis can be a “daunting and at times frightening” experience for sufferers and their loved ones, as he hosted an event to laud the “extraordinary work” of cancer charities.

In a message written in a booklet for guests at a Buckingham Palace reception to celebrate organisations helping people with the disease, Charles poignantly reflected on his own diagnosis.

King Charles speaks to guests at the reception on Wednesday.Credit: AP

As one of the 1000 or so people in Britain who are told each day they have cancer, Charles said his journey had given him “an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work” of charities.

“Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones,” he said. “But as one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity.”

The 76-year-old monarch, who is still undergoing treatment more than a year on from his diagnosis for an undisclosed cancer, also said that his experience had reinforced how “the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion”.

Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, invited representatives from cancer charities they support, campaigners, and individuals living with cancer, to the royal residence for the reception.

King Charles speaks with broadcaster and presenter Adele Roberts during a reception at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.Credit: AP

Also present was the former wife of Prince Andrew, Sarah, Duchess of York, who has also endured cancer treatment, for skin and breast cancer.

“I think the King is a brilliant example of revolutionising patronage,” she said. “He really listens, he wants to fix it, he wants to make a difference.”

Though King Charles has been increasingly visible in recent months, he was briefly hospitalised last month as a result of “temporary” side effects from a scheduled cancer treatment.

Although updates on his condition have been rare, a Buckingham Palace source said in December that the treatment had been moving in a positive direction.

“We are so grateful to His Majesty for his continued support, both as our patron and for being so open about his own cancer experience, which has inspired so many others to reach out for support from organisations like Macmillan,” Macmillan Cancer Support chief executive Gemma Peters said.

Charles’ illness came as his daughter-in-law, Kate, the Princess of Wales, was also diagnosed with cancer. Kate, the wife of Prince William, took more than six months off before returning to public duties in late September. The couple have this week celebrated their wedding anniversary in Scotland.

Reuters and AP

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