Well-wishers have reduced me to tears, says Charles
THE King met Rishi Sunak at Buckingham Palace yesterday as he made his first public remarks since his cancer diagnosis.
Speaking to Mr Sunak, Charles revealed he has been ‘reduced to tears’ by the cards and messages of support received since the announcement just over two weeks ago.
During their meeting – which is usually weekly but has not been held since the King began his treatment – the Prime Minister told the monarch: ‘ We are all behind you, the country is behind you.’
In response, Charles said: ‘You are kind. I’ve had so many messages and cards, you can’t believe it. They’ve reduced me to tears, most of the time.’
He was even able to make light of the situation, after Mr Sunak told him it was ‘wonderful to see you looking so well’.
The King chuckled: ‘It’s all done by mirrors.’
Charles also expressed his joy that his diagnosis – made public against royal protocol to raise awareness for cancer – had led to a surge in interest in cancer charities.
He said: ‘I hear there’s been a lot more attention and interest on those main, wonderful cancer charities, many of which I have been patron on for years.’
Mr Sunak replied: ‘ They do incredible work up and down the country. It’s nice to have that recognised.’
Last night’s meeting in The Private Audience Room was the first time Charles has been seen carrying out royal duties publicly since the diagnosis. While he has been forced to cancel all public engagements, he has insisted on working behind the scenes on state business throughout.
The 45-minute meeting is a weekly cornerstone of the monarch’s relationship with their Prime Minister, in which matters of national importance are discussed in confidence.
It also marked a debut for the King’s new equerry, Lieutenant Commander Will Thornton of the Fleet Air Arm, after his kilt-wearing senior equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, was given an alternative role.
Earlier in the evening, the King also held an in-person Privy Council meeting for the first time this year.
Charles is currently coming into London once a week for outpatient treatment and meetings before returning to Sandringham, his Norfolk estate, for recuperation.
Last month, he underwent an operation to treat a benign enlarged prostate. It was during this surgery doctors discovered an unrelated condition that concerned them. Tests later showed it was cancer.
‘The country is behind you’