Leaders at home and abroad wish the King well
◆ Cancer charities praise Charles for going public on diagnosis as messages of support flood in for Monarch
Well wishes for the King have poured in from across the political spectrum and across the world after Buckingham Palace announced he was diagnosed with a form of cancer.
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.”
First Minister Humza Yousaf also reacted to the announcement.
“My thoughts and prayers are with His Majesty The King,” he said. “I wish him the very best for a speedy recovery and return to public life.
“My thoughts are also with Her Majesty The Queen and other Members of the Royal Family at what I know will be a worrying time for them all.”
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey added: “The Liberal Democrats join the rest of the nation in wishing a full and quick recovery to His Majesty.”
The King was also praised for making his diagnosis public.
UK Health and social care secretary Victoria Atkins wrote: “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, Northern Ireland’s first minister Michelle O’neill and deputy first minister Emma Little-pengelly also sent well wishes.
Across the Atlantic, Joe Biden said he was “concerned” about Charles and planned to call him later.
Mr Biden, who is six years older than the 75-year-old
King, was asked by reporters whether he had a message for Charles during a visit to Las Vegas.
The President replied: “I’m concerned about him. Just heard about his diagnosis. I’ll be talking to him, God willing.”
His predecessor in the White House, Donald Trump, described the King as a “wonderful man”.
“He is a wonderful man, who I got to know well during my presidency, and we all pray that he has a fast and full recovery.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also offered his best wishes.
He tweeted: “I, like Canadians across the country and people around the world, am thinking of His Majesty King Charles III as he undergoes treatment for cancer.
“We’re sending him our very best wishes – and hoping for a fast and full recovery.”
Meanwhile, a cancer charity close to the King’s heart has 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 said: “Our thoughts are with His Majesty the King and his family.
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
“We are sending our best wishes at what we know must be an incredibly challenging time.”
A statement from Cancer Research UK 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.”
Judi Rhys, chief executive of Tenovus Cancer Care, of which the Princess Royal is patron, said: “We are saddened to hear of the King’s cancer diagnosis and wish him all the best with his treatment and recovery.
“As ever, if you have any symptoms or signs of cancer, please do come forward for checks.”