King issues heartfelt thanks

‘Such kind thoughts are the greatest … encouragement’

The King has spoken for the first time since his cancer diagnosis to thank the public for its support, saying the messages have been a “comfort” and “encouragement” as he undergoes treatment.

The King, 75, issued a “heartfelt” thank you a week after revealing he had a form of cancer that was discovered while he underwent surgery for an enlarged prostate.

Addressing supporters from his home on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where he is recovering with the Queen after starting treatment, he said: “I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days.”

In a statement released from Sandringham House, the King said he was “heartened” that sharing his own diagnosis had boosted public understanding about the disease and his own admiration for the work of cancer charities and organisations that support patients and their families.

“As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement,” he said.

“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.”

The King’s aides revealed in a statement last Monday that the monarch had been diagnosed with “a form of cancer” while undergoing planned surgery for an enlarged prostate at the London Clinic, where his daughter-inlaw, the Princess of Wales, had also been admitted for abdominal surgery. It is understood he began treatment at Sandringham on Tuesday, the day after he was visited at his London residence at Clarence House by his youngest son, Prince Harry, who “took it upon himself” to fly 11 hours to see his father from his home in LA.

The King (inset) has shelved all public engagements until further notice and is working from home, signing off affairs of state documents in his red box.

Buckingham Palace announced on Monday evening in a 138-word statement the King “remains wholly positive about his treatment” but stopped short of sharing his exact diagnosis.

“His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer,” the statement read.

Two days later, the royal family’s social media team issued a graphic in partnership with the UK charity Macmillan Cancer Support to highlight resources for cancer information and support.

The palace maintains the King is looking forward to returning to public duty as soon as possible but has been advised to postpone his publicfacing engagements after starting a schedule of treatments.

He plans to resume his weekly Wednesday audiences with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak face-to-face on February 21.

The Princess of Wales was discharged from hospital after two weeks.