King Charles has broken his silence over his cancer diagnosis and offered his ‘heartfelt thanks’ to the British public in a letter today.
It was discovered by doctors when the monarch, 75, was being treated for an enlarged prostate and announced on Monday, but his specific diagnosis remains unknown.
The royal has been based in Sandringham since leaving the London Clinic, in the capital, where he stayed for three nights and left on January 29.
The letter, which was released today, features a bold red letterhead of Sandringham House and is signed ‘Charles R’.
It reads: ‘I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days.
King Charles has broken his silence over his cancer diagnosis and offered his ‘heartfelt thanks’ to the British public
The royal has been based in Sandringham since leaving the London Clinic, in the capital, where he stayed for three nights and left on January 29
‘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.’
It is thought that the King will also hold face-to-face meetings in London next week despite his ongoing cancer treatment.
He will spend a day or so in the capital, as his trip is likely to overlap with his medical appointments.
But the King is well enough to hold a limited number of face-to-face meetings, sources say.
The letter comes after he was visited by his estranged son, Prince Harry, 39, following the shock announcement on Tuesday.
The Duke, 39, flew to London on a ten-hour commercial British Airways flight from Los Angeles to Heathrow on Tuesday and arrived at the royal residence at 2.42pm.
He then spent around 45 minutes chatting with his father, which is thought to be their first proper contact in 15 months.
It was their first formal meeting in person since the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022.
The father and son had a ‘brief meeting’ before the King and Camilla were driven to Buckingham Palace where a helicopter was waiting to take them back to Sandringham.
Prince William has resumed regular duties this week following the King’s cancer diagnosis
The heir to the throne took time off to support his family, after the Princess of Wales underwent planned abdominal surgery
The King’s helicopter is seen landing at Buckingham Palace, London, following the announcement of King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis
For his journey back to the States, Harry was spotted in Heathrow’s exclusive Windsor Suite as he prepared to fly back that afternoon.
It is believed that the royal did not see his estranged brother and heir to the throne Prince William, or sister-in-law Kate.
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle was pictured smiling as she drove her Range Rover near her $14m Montecito home just hours before Prince Harry returned home.
Harry is expected to return to Britain in May for a service at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games.
The heir to the throne, 41, has been performing some duties, however, a source said that William’s priority is ‘to support his wife and family’.
He hosted an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday before attending the London‘s Air Ambulance charity gala dinner later that evening.
As he entered the venue the Prince of Wales said he ‘really appreciates everyone’s kindness’ speaking out for the first time since the shock news of the King’s health.
His wife, the Princess of Wales, 42, is recovering from her abdominal surgery and is on extended leave.
Kate, 42, is on the mend and joined her husband and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on a half-term holiday on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, Richard Eden reported.
A friend told Eden: ‘Catherine is recovering well.
‘She was looking forward to a change of scene and will be able to take it easy in Norfolk while the children let off steam with William.’
The royal was discharged 12 days ago from the London Clinic.
It is believed that the royal did not see his estranged brother and heir to the throne Prince William
Meghan Markle was pictured beaming as she was snapped driving near her $14m Montecito home just hours before Prince Harry returned home
Harry did not see his estranged brother and heir to the throne Prince William, or sister-in-law Kate, who is recovering from her abdominal surgery and on extended leave
Kate, 42, is on the mend and joined her husband and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on a half-term holiday on the Sandringham estate
The heir to the throne has no further duties scheduled this week as he continues to put his wife and children first.
A source told the Daily Mail earlier this week: ‘The Prince has always made clear that his priority is to support his wife and family for the time being – and he did not put a timescale on that.
‘He will make a return to duties on Wednesday but you should not expect to see him again for a bit after that.’
It is understood that William has his father’s ‘100 per cent’ backing in returning at his own pace.
A source said: ‘The King adores Catherine and thinks she is doing a wonderful job. He understands that family comes first.’
Queen Camilla also broke her silence over her husband’s diagnosis during her first public engagement since the announcement.
The 76-year-old took a five-hour drive from her husband’s side at Sandringham to Wiltshire after the local helipad flooded.
She made the remarks as she arrived at Salisbury Cathedral for a charity musical evening.
On Thursday, Ben Abbott, 40, a critical care paramedic for Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: ‘I do hope His Majesty is doing well Ma’am, we’re all really sad to hear the news.’
Camilla then replied: ‘He is doing extremely well under the circumstances.
‘He is very touched by all of the letters and messages the public have been sending from everywhere. That’s very cheering.’
