United Kingdom: King Charles, has made his first statement since the cancer diagnosis and used it to offer “heartfelt thanks” to the public for their “comfort and encouragement”.
In a message from Sandringham, Norfolk, Charles III said that “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.”
As well as thanking the public for their well-wishes, the 75-year-old British ruler has reminisced on their decision to go public with his disease, saying “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.”
Emphasizing gratitude to the medical professionals and cancer charities, Majesty added that, “My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience.”
On Monday, Buckingham Palace announced that the monarch had been diagnosed with a form of cancer while undergoing a process to dilate his prostate gland. In keeping with the initial announcement, King Charles did not reveal any further details about the type of cancer, the type of treatment, or the stage of the cancer in his new statement.
The King has began treatment in London and flew to Sandringham with the Queen. It is not clear when the ruler will return to London or if he will need to return to the capital for treatment. The palace and the king hoped that opening up about his cancer would end any possible rumours or speculation and allow the monarch some privacy while undergoing treatment.
The palace is eager to ensure that he is capable of performing his constitutional duties. This statement will be part of that strategy to show that the King remains positive. But they made it clear that they would not be drawn into giving a running commentary on his condition.
At a recent event at Salisbury Cathedral, the Queen spoke for the first time about her husband’s diagnosis, telling critical care paramedic Ben Abbott, that “He is doing extremely well under the circumstances. He is very touched by all of the letters and messages the public has been sending from everywhere. That’s very cheering.”
During a speech at an air ambulance occasion, Prince William took a moment to thank everyone for their backing for his father and the Princess of Wales, who is recovering from abdominal surgery. Other members of the royal family are now required to hold public engagements, and doctors have been told not to do public-facing work. This made a written statement from the Britain king even more important, which was now the main means of communication.
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