10 February 2024 , 22:00
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The King has been so moved by the nation’s support as he fights cancer he sent a message of thanks last night. In a statement, Charles said it was the “greatest comfort” and he is heartened that sharing his diagnosis has “shone a light” on organisations helping patients. The Queen has also said they have been “touched”.
In a personal and candid statement issued by Buckingham Palace, Charles said his illness had led to the growth of his own “lifelong admiration” for organisations like the NHS and charities that help thousands fight the disease. The 75-year-old also said he was “heartened” that sharing his plight had helped promote “public understanding” of the illness – referencing the surge in online searches for NHS information about cancer and its symptoms. Royal sources said last night His Majesty is “doing well” and expected to attend church at Sandringham today.
Charles was treated at the same clinic as Kate (Getty Images)He is understood to be focusing on resting in preparation for more treatment while recuperating at his estate in Norfolk. His condition was discovered during surgery at the London Clinic for an enlarged prostate last month, which led to the discovery of a “form of cancer” described as a “separate issue”. The King has begun “regular treatments” which started last Monday and postponed public duties, although he intends to keep up his weekly audiences with the Prime Minister.
Sources say Charles may even release photos and video of his meetings with Rishi Sunak at Buckingham Palace. The exact nature of the King’s condition is not known but the Palace has confirmed it is not prostate cancer. In his statement, Charles said: “I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days. 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.”
A message of thanks from his majesty the King CharlesThe King’s treatments will be weekly and are described by sources as “highly specialised” with “limited side-effects”. His diagnosis sparked a 51% rise in searches on an NHS England web page offering advice on the signs and symptoms of cancer – up to more than 14,600 from a daily average of 9,737 in the 24 hours following the Palace’s announcement of his illness. Visitor numbers peaked in the hour following the initial statement, with 1,530 visits to the page – one every three seconds.
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And in a further sign of increasing openness, reports emerged last night that Charles “is keen to be seen” and will be driven in the state Bentley, with its large windows, wherever possible while in London. Meanwhile, the news of his cancer last Monday led to son Prince Harry, 39, making a flying visit from his California home to see his father for the first time in 16 months. But the Duke of Sussex only spent 30 minutes alone with the King and flew home the next day, having spent just 25 hours in the country.
Prince Harry made a flying visit to see his father before presenting at the NFL awards in Las Vegas (Getty Images)And 24 hours after arriving back in the US, he was at the NFL Honours ceremony in Las Vegas to present an award, leading to speculation he will appear alongside top celebrities including Taylor Swift at tonight’s Super Bowl clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.
Prince William is understood to be staying with wife Kate and their three children at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, on the King’s estate. William, 41, returned to public duties last week after caring for Kate, 42, who is on medical leave from duties until after Easter following an abdominal operation last month.
At a gala fundraiser for the London Air Ambulance Charity on Wednesday, he expressed his appreciation for the messages of support for his wife and his father, saying: “It means a great deal to us all.”
Queen Camilla attending a charity event at Salisbury Cathedral (Getty Images)
The Princess of Wales has shown her support to King Charles (Getty Images)Queen Camilla, 76, who has been at the centre of royal duties, also gave an update on the King’s wellbeing at a ceremony at Salisbury Cathedral, telling a care paramedic for Wiltshire Air Ambulance: “He’s doing extremely well under the circumstances. We are very touched by all of the messages.” And it has emerged the King and the Duchess of York have been supporting each other.
Prince Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, 64, is now fighting a form of skin cancer after beating breast cancer. The pair have exchanged letters and a royal source said: “The King and Sarah are incredibly fond of one another.”