Messages of support for King Charles after cancer diagnosis
Messages of support have been sent from around the world
Well-wishers from around the world have been sending messages of support for King Charles after His Majesty revealed a cancer diagnosis.
Charles has begun a schedule of regular treatments and has been advised to postpone his public-facing duties.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on X: “Wishing His Majesty a full and speedy recovery.
“I have no doubt he’ll be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will be wishing him well.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: “On behalf of the Labour Party, I wish His Majesty all the very best for his recovery.
“We look forward to seeing him back to swift full health.”
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey posted: “The Liberal Democrats join the rest of the nation in wishing a full and quick recovery to His Majesty.”
Across the Atlantic, Joe Biden said he was “concerned” about Charles and planned to call him later.
The US president told reporters: “I’m concerned about him. Just heard about his diagnosis.
“I’ll be talking to him, God willing.”
The King was also praised for making his diagnosis public.
Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins wrote on X: “My thoughts are with King Charles and the whole Royal Family.
“His decision to share his diagnosis to assist public understanding for all those affected by cancer is commendable.
“Wishing His Majesty the very best and look forward to seeing him resume his public duties.”
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, who received treatment for kidney cancer in 2021, said: “One in two of us will develop cancer during our lives, but millions more are affected when someone they love is diagnosed with cancer.
“Sending best wishes to His Majesty for his treatment and to his family as they support him throughout.”
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told MPs: “I know the whole House will wish to join me in expressing our sympathies with His Majesty the King following the news announcement this evening.
“Our thoughts are, of course, with His Majesty and his family, and we’d all wish to send him our very best wishes for the successful treatment and a speedy recovery following tonight’s news.”
Mr Sunak’s immediate predecessors in No 10, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, also sent their best wishes to the King, with Mr Johnson saying: “The whole country will be rooting for the King today.”
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf, Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly also sent get-well wishes
A cancer charity close to the King’s heart also sent best wishes following news of his diagnosis.
Charles has been patron of Macmillan Cancer Support for more than 20 years, having taken up the role in 1997.
The Royal Household is currently conducting a review of royal patronages across dozens of charities and organisations.
A statement from Macmillan on X, formerly Twitter, said: “Our thoughts are with His Majesty the King and his family.
“We are sending our best wishes at what we know must be an incredibly challenging time.”
A statement from Cancer Research UK on X said: “We’re sorry to hear the news that King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer.
“We’re sending our thoughts and well wishes to the King and the royal family at this difficult time.”
Maggie’s cancer support chief executive Dame Laura Lee said of the announcement: “We are incredibly sorry to hear the King’s news and our thoughts are with him.
“We also know how challenging and worrying a time a cancer diagnosis can be for the whole family and our thoughts are very much with our president, Her Majesty the Queen.”
Professor Pat Price, founder of the Catch Up With Cancer campaign, said the outpouring of well wishes “reflects the collective concern we all share”.
She added: “The King’s openness about his battle with cancer is a powerful reminder that one in two of us may face cancer at some point in our lives.”