The King has opened up about his experience of receiving his cancer diagnosis in his most personal reflection on what it’s like to battle the disease ahead of a special reception at Buckingham Palace tonight

The King has spoken of the “daunting and at times frightening experience” of receiving a cancer diagnosis, in the most personal reflection of his own battle with the disease. Ahead of hosting a special reception for cancer charities at Buckingham Palace this evening, in a written message Charles told of his appreciation for the “profound impact of human connection”, observing how “the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion”.

In the personally penned message for the programme of the event, attended by champions of cancer charities and those who are living with cancer, including radio DJ Adele Roberts, TV personality Ashley Cain, actor Richard E Grant, and the parents of the late campaigner Dame Deborah James, the King highlighted the gravity of 1,000 people a day being handed a cancer diagnosis.

The King was diagnosed with cancer last February ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage

Revealing his own feelings of becoming “among those statistics myself”, he added: “I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity.” Charles was diagnosed with cancer last February following a three night hospital stay at The London Clinic in Marylebone for an enlarged prostate procedure. Subsequent diagnostic tests identified a form of cancer.

The King has continued to have weekly treatment at a London hospital, returning to public duties last April. Since then he has taken on an extraordinary schedule of public work, telling aides he is intently “keen to make up for lost time”. In his message, Charles praised the selfless “care, comfort and reassurance” of all who work in the sector, acknowledging his own experience had led to “an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken”.

The King said: “My wife and I are delighted to host you here this evening to are, comfort and reassurance, celebrate and above all thank those who so selflessly give to the 390,000 people who, sadly, receive a new cancer diagnosis across the U.K. each year. That is over 1,000 new cases every single day.

King Charles and Queen Camilla on a state visit to Italy earlier this month ( 
Image:
PA)
“Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones. But as one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity.

“It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years. And it has reinforced what I have long observed during these visits – that the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.”

King Charles has opened up about his cancer diagnosis in his most personal reflection of his battle with the disease ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The King and Queen will tonight be joined by The Duchess of Gloucester, not only celebrating the work of the organisations but raising awareness of preventative action people can take to avoid cancer. Guests include representatives from the King and Queen’s patronages, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Breast Cancer Now, Maggie’s and Children’s Hospice South West.

The King and Queen will also watch a performance by the ITV Change + Check Choir, made up of 26 women who all spotted their breast cancer symptoms after seeing the awareness campaign on Lorraine Kelly’s ITV1 programme Lorraine. Dame Deborah James, who also worked on the show, died from bowel cancer aged just 40 in 2022.

The King was diagnosed with cancer just days before his daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales also received a diagnosis ( 
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2024 Karwai TangPrince William conferred a damehood on the campaigner weeks before she passed away, cementing her legacy raising awareness and helping save others from suffering the same fate. Her Bowelbabe Fund raised £17million to fund the work of scientists at the forefront of bowel cancer research.

The King noted that both he and the Queen continue to be patrons of several cancer focused organisations, often seeing for themselves the incredible work undertaken offering families “sanctuary, understanding and practical assistance”.

In his message Charles wrote: “What strikes us repeatedly is the profound impact of human connection – whether in the careful explanation from a specialist nurse, the hand held by a hospice volunteer, or the shared experience in a support group. These moments of kinship create what I might call a ‘community of care’, one that sustains patients through the most difficult of times.”

In an extraordinary turn of events last year, doctors told the King of his plight just days before his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, was also diagnosed with cancer. Royal sources say the two have “found great comfort” in confiding in one another as they faced their individual battles.

Kate underwent just over six months of preventative chemotherapy and was fortunately told in January that she is now in remission. A senior palace source said the King’s treatment continued to “move in a positive direction as reflected with the very full national and international diary programme” undertaken by the monarch in recent months.

Charles on a visit to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, London last year ( 
Image:
PA)
The source emphasised that while progress has been made, his cancer remains in a “managed condition”. Both Charles and the princess have since used their profile to highlight the work of hospitals, medical staff and cancer sufferers. In his address tonight, Charles paid tribute to those working on the front line, saying their efforts meant “a cancer diagnosis need never mean facing the future without hope and support”.

He added: “So to all the researchers pursuing pioneering breakthroughs; to the healthcare professionals providing specialist treatment; to the volunteers offering comfort, or campaigning to raise awareness; and to the fundraisers enabling all this vital work – you have my whole family’s deepest admiration and gratitude.

“Your commitment to early diagnosis, evermore successful therapies and truly holistic care represents the very best our country can offer. This collective endeavour reminds us of what we can achieve when we are united with common purpose and uncommon determination.

“While every patient’s journey may be different, together you are ensuring that a cancer diagnosis need never mean facing the future without hope and support.

“And to those who may be receiving such upsetting news today, tomorrow or at any point in the future, I can only echo the departing words of the late Dame Deborah James, whose parents I am delighted to have with us here this evening, and whose example stands as an inspiration to us all, in sickness and in health: Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. I am so very grateful for all that you do.”