King Charles will be ‘deeply touched’ by the ‘positive reaction’ to his message after he announced a major boost in his battle with cancer, Buckingham Palace said.
His Majesty announced his cancer treatment would be significantly scaled back in the New Year in an unprecedented video message on Friday evening.
The King previously shared he had been diagnosed with the disease in February 2024 after being admitted to hospital for an enlarged prostate.
But since his diagnosis 22 months ago, Charles said his recent ‘good news’ was thanks to an early diagnosis, successful care, as well as following ‘doctors’ orders’.
And while Buckingham Palace did not use the word ‘remission’, it said the monarch had responded to his treatment ‘exceptionally well’.
Although he will continue to receive treatment for the foreseeable future, it will be ‘significantly reduced’ and moved into a ‘precautionary phase’.
Meanwhile, veteran broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby praised the King, saying his plea for the nation to get cancer screening ‘will save lives’.
The King’s message also sparked tens of thousands of people to visit Cancer Research UK about available screenings, the charity said.
Tens of thousands of people have visited a cancer research website to seek information about available screenings since the King’s message about his own recovery, a charity has said.
The Palace said it was ‘most grateful’ for the kind comments for the King from ‘both those working in cancer care and from the general public’.
A Palace spokesperson added that it was ‘delighted by the scale and sensitivity of the worldwide media reaction’,
‘I know His Majesty will be greatly encouraged and deeply touched by the very positive reaction his message has generated,’ the spokesperson said.
‘He will be particularly pleased at the way it has helped to shine a light on the benefits of cancer screening programmes.
‘It has long been the King’s view that if some public good can come from sharing elements of his personal diagnosis and treatment journey, then it would be his pleasure and duty to do so.
‘His thoughts and warmest wishes will remain with all those affected by cancer and those who care for them.’
Meanwhile, Cancer Research UK said about 100,000 people visited their new Screening Checker since it was launched on December 5.
The charity said most took place after Charles’ unprecedented video message as part of Channel 4’s Stand Up to Cancer show.
The tool allows visitors to quickly check the different types of cancer screenings available with the NHS, and Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland.
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive at Cancer Research UK, said: ‘Since launching our new cancer Screening Checker, we’ve seen around 100,000 visits so far from people seeking information about cancer screening, with most of these taking place after his majesty the King spoke openly about his own cancer journey during the Stand Up To Cancer live show.
‘This response shows just how important open conversations about cancer can be.
‘Knowing which screening you’re eligible for, and what happens next, isn’t always straightforward, which is why we’ve launched this simple new Screening Checker.
‘Taking just a few minutes to check what screening you’re eligible for could be an important step towards protecting your health and could ultimately save lives.’
Yesterday, a notable break from tradition, the monarch decided to share his health update in a pre-recorded message as part of Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer.
He had been asked to lend his support for a new online screening tool, which is backed by Cancer Research UK, the charity of which he is royal patron.
His Majesty agreed, particularly keen to raise awareness as he was ‘troubled’ to learn nine million people were missing cancer screenings available to them.
As someone who has benefited from having his own cancer picked up at an early stage, Charles described it as nine million ‘missed opportunities’ for earlier diagnosis.
‘This is a season when our thoughts turn to celebrations with our friends and families. In the midst of this festive period,’ he said.
‘I just wanted to ask you to join me today in finding a special place in your hearts, and your minds and prayers for the hundreds of thousands of people across our United Kingdom who receive a cancer diagnosis each year – and for the millions more who love and care for them.
‘I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Yet I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams – and, to their patients, the precious gift of hope.
‘Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives.
‘I know, too, what a difference it has made in my own case, enabling me to continue leading a full and active life, even while undergoing treatment.
‘Indeed, today I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders’, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the New Year.
‘This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years; testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the 50 per cent of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives.’
The King went on to emphasise that people often avoid screening ‘because they imagine it may be frightening, embarrassing or uncomfortable’.
But he stressed that ‘a few moments of minor inconvenience are a small price to pay for the reassurance that comes for most people when they are told either they don’t need further tests, or, for some, are given the chance to enable early detection, with the life-saving intervention that can follow’.
Highlighting the new national screening checker, a simple online tool which allows users to check whether they are eligible for breast, bowel or cervical cancer screening, he stressed: ‘Your life – or the life of someone you love – may depend on it.’
When bowel cancer is caught at the earliest stage, around nine in ten people survive for at least five years. When diagnosed late, that plummets to just one in ten.
The King also issued his ‘heartfelt thanks’ and profound gratitude to all those researching the disease and caring for patients, including his own medical team.
Charles was diagnosed by chance in February 2024 after being admitted to hospital for routine surgery for an enlarged prostate.
Buckingham Palace have never confirmed what type of cancer it is, but have said that it is not prostate-related.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Dimbleby, 81, a long-time friend of Charles said the ‘unique message’ would encourage those afraid to be checked to seek vital treatment.
‘It demonstrates, I think, the unique role of the sovereign. No-one else could have done this. It was unrivalled,’ he said.
‘By doing this, he will have helped guarantee along with all those other terrific people who have spoken about their cancers – and it’s not an easy thing to do – to come out and say publicly that ‘I just want you to know I have this or that cancer.’
Read more
- Why did King Charles break royal tradition to share his health update, and what message does he convey about cancer screenings?
- How did the King reveal his own cancer battle in an emotional plea to fellow sufferers during a poignant Buckingham Palace event?
- With his poignant cancer battle revelation, how has King Charles inspired millions by speaking about his journey during the royal event?
- Why are millions of Britons applauding King Charles’ inspirational approach to his ongoing cancer journey?
- Why did King Charles receive overwhelming praise for his heartfelt cancer screening plea?
