King Charles III has issued a message of gratitude for the outpouring of support he has received since he revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer last week.
The monarch, who told the world he had been diagnosed with a form of cancer via Buckingham Palace, has scaled back his public-facing duties since the announcement. His Majesty went to The London Clinic early this year for surgery regarding an enlarged prostate. The Firm has clarified the King does not have prostate cancer but did not release details on what type of cancer Charles has, nor the prognosis.
The monarch then announced he would postpone upcoming royal duties and travel overseas, to undergo treatment remotely as an outpatient. Following the shock news, Prince Harry flew from California to London this week to see his father. It’s reported they spent ’30-45minutes’ together before the King and Queen Consort Camilla were flown to Sandringham.
Harry reportedly spent the night in a London hotel before taking a flight back home to his wife Meghan Markle and their children, Archie and Lilibet.
Now, the King has released a message of thanks to the support he’s received over the past week.
It reads: “I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days.
“As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.
“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.”
It comes after Prince William returned to his duties following the announcement. He had taken time out of the royal calendar after his wife Kate Middleton underwent abdominal surgery, at the same time Charles was in the hospital. The palace did not state what type of surgery the Princess of Wales underwent, but said she wouldn’t be conducting any duties until after Easter.
The Prince of Wales attended the London Air Ambulance Charity Gala this week where he met with crewmembers, former patients and supporters, before delivering a short speech.
In his speech, His Royal Highness thanked the public for their “kind messages of support” for The Princess of Wales and His Majesty The King.
The Prince of Wales was also joined by Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, who is a long-term supporter of the charity.
The Prince of Wales, himself a trained helicopter pilot, became Patron of London’s Air Ambulance Charity in March 2020 after supporting their 30th Anniversary Campaign.
