In his first public remark since his shocking cancer diagnosis, Britain’s King Charles III conveyed his “heartfelt thanks” to well-wishers on Saturday.
Buckingham Palace announced Monday that Charles has begun treatment, but did not identify the sort of cancer he has.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the many messages of support and well wishes I have received in recent days,” the monarch said in a greeting to the people.
“As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement,” he said in a statement.
The note was made available on the 75-year-old monarch’s website and the royal family’s official profile on social media platform X.
Charles went on to say that it was “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,” he said in the letter, which was signed “Charles R.”
This week, Britain’s National Health Service stated that the king’s diagnosis had prompted an increase in online searches for disease information.
Charles has taken an indefinite leave from public life to receive treatment and is currently residing at the royal country house of Sandringham in the east of England.
He is continuing to perform administrative duties and attended his weekly phone meeting with the prime minister this week.
Charles is not believed to have prostate cancer, as the palace stated following his recent hospital surgery for a benign prostate enlargement that “a separate issue of concern was noted,” adding that later tests had revealed “a form of cancer.”
Harry meeting
According to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the disease was “caught early”.
On Thursday, Charles’ wife, Queen Camilla, stated that her husband was doing “extremely well” given the circumstances.
Charles’ diagnosis comes only 17 months after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96.
Aside from polo and skiing accidents, he has typically been in good health.
Prince William, the successor to the throne, has taken up the majority of the king’s responsibilities, alongside Charles’ sister Princess Anne and wife Camilla.
The diagnosis has left William, 41, with a huge royal load while his wife Catherine recovers from a recent stomach surgery.
William thanked the public for their “kind messages” this week.
Prince Harry, Charles’ estranged younger son, flew back to Britain to see the King on Tuesday, adding to the week’s drama.
The two met for 45 minutes at Charles’ Clarence House house in London before Harry went back to the United States.