King Charles thanks the public for its support following cancer diagnosis

King Charles III has released a statement sharing his "most heartfelt thanks" to the public for their support following his cancer diagnosis. Photo / Getty Images

King Charles III has issued a statement sharing his “most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes” received by the public after it was revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer last week.

The statement was released amid a turbulent start to the year for the royals. Last month, Buckingham Palace announced that Princess Kate was to undergo abdominal surgery and would remain in recovery for up to two weeks, while the King had been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate and would also undergo more minor surgery to treat it.

Princess Kate has since been discharged but is not expected to return to perform royal duties until at least Easter.

Yet only a week after King Charles was discharged from The London Clinic hospital, it was also revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer and would begin “regular treatments”.

In a post shared to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, the King shared his gratitude for the support he had received in the days since.

“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.”

A thank you message from His Majesty The King.

Link to full message on the website: https://t.co/BPvxagD179 pic.twitter.com/wAY5XWLLEo

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 10, 2024

Eyes have since turned to the other senior royal family members, who have been taking on greater responsibilities on behalf of the King and the Princess of Wales as they focus on their health.

Although the King continues to work privately and refuses to hit pause on all of his work, Prince William has been taking on a leadership role as the heir to the throne, attending engagements and ensuring continuity remains between the royals and their public duties.

Queen Camilla has been keeping busy as Charles works behind the scenes, attending a royal engagement at Salisbury Cathedral where she talked to medical staff from Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Prince Harry also made a quick visit to the UK to check in with his father. Harry swiftly flew to the UK to see Charles as soon as the news was announced, in what was reportedly their first face-to-face meeting since 2022.

He returned to the US about 24 hours later to be with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, Archie, 4, and Lillibet, 2.