Britain鈥檚 King Charles III waves as he travels with his wife Britain鈥檚 Queen Camilla, from Clarence House to Buckingham Palace, in London on February 6, 2024. Britain鈥檚 King Charles III was on Tuesday seen in public for the first time since his cancer diagnosis was made public a day before. Charles was photographed leaving his residence near Buckingham Palace, with the Press Association news agency reporting he was 鈥渂elieved to be preparing to travel by helicopter to Sandringham鈥�, a royal residence in eastern England. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)
London, United Kingdom 鈥斅燘ritain鈥檚 King Charles III on Saturday expressed his 鈥渉eartfelt thanks鈥� to well-wishers, in his first statement since being diagnosed with cancer.
In a message to the public, the 75-year-old monarch added that it was 鈥渆qually heartening鈥� to hear how sharing his diagnosis has helped promote understanding of the condition.
搁贰础顿:听UK鈥檚 cancer-hit King Charles III 鈥榙oing extremely well鈥� 鈥� Camilla
鈥淚 would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days,鈥� Charles wrote.
鈥淎s all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.鈥�
The note was published on the monarch鈥檚 website and the royal family鈥檚 official page on social media platform X.
鈥淚t 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.鈥�
鈥淢y lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience,鈥� the king added, signing the letter 鈥淐harles R.鈥�
搁贰础顿:听King Charles鈥� cancer diagnosis lays bare pressures at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace announced on Monday that Charles had been diagnosed with cancer and has begun treatment and taken a break from public duties.
It has not specified the type of cancer, although it is understood not to be prostate cancer.
The diagnosis comes just 17 months into Charles鈥檚 reign following the death of his 96-year-old mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022.