Ahead of hosting a special reception for cancer charities at Buckingham Palace yesterday, Charles wrote a message expressing his appreciation for the “profound impact of human connection” and observing how “the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.”
In the personally penned message for the programme of the event, the King highlighted the gravity of 1,000 people a day being handed a cancer diagnosis.
NEW: King Charles writes his most personal reflections yet on his cancer diagnosis. He speaks of the “darkest moments of illness” which can be “illuminated by the greatest compassion.”
He is hosting a reception this evening for those who, like him, have cancer and those who work… pic.twitter.com/5DVuLXrmPt— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) April 30, 2025
Revealing his own feelings of becoming “among those statistics myself”, he added: “I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity.”
Charles was diagnosed with cancer last February following a three-night hospital stay at The London Clinic in Marylebone for an enlarged prostate procedure.
The King has continued to have weekly treatment at a London hospital, returning to public duties last April.
In his message, Charles praised the selfless “care, comfort and reassurance” of all who work in the sector, acknowledging his own experience had led to “an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken”.
The King said: “My wife and I are delighted to host you here this evening to are, comfort and reassurance, celebrate and above all thank those who so selflessly give to the 390,000 people who, sadly, receive a new cancer diagnosis across the U.K. each year. That is over 1,000 new cases every single day.
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“Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones. But as one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity.
“It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years.
“And it has reinforced what I have long observed during these visits – that the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.”
