Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said this morning that he was ‘shocked and sad’ to hear about the King’s cancer diagnosis but was ‘thankful’ that it had been ‘caught early’ as he wished him a full recovery.
Buckingham Palace dramatically revealed yesterday that Charles had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer during treatment for a benign prostate condition.
The King, who has postponed all his public duties, returned to London from Sandringham yesterday and stayed at home last night after beginning his medical care as an outpatient under the supervision of his specialist team of doctors.
Mr Sunak revealed that the running of the country would continue as normal and that he was in ‘regular contact’ with the King.
On BBC Radio 5 Live this morning, Mr Sunak said he was ‘shocked and sad’, adding: ‘Thankfully this has been caught early and now everyone will be wishing that he gets the treatment he needs and makes a full recovery. That’s what we’re all hoping and praying for.
‘I’m of course in regular contact with him and will continue to communicate with him as normal.’
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said this morning that he was ‘shocked and sad’ to hear about the King’s cancer diagnosis but ‘thankfully this has been caught early’.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive to attend a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on February 4
Buckingham Palace announced the King had begun a schedule of regular treatments and was postponing his public-facing duties
The Prime Minister said he was in ‘regular contact’ with the King as he wished him a speedy recovery
Mr Sunak continued: ‘I’m in regular contact with the King and that will of course continue as normal and we’ll crack on with everything. He’ll be in our thoughts and prayers.
‘Many families around the country listening to this will be touched by the same thing and they know what it means for everyone. We’ll be willing him on and hopefully he can get through this as quick as possible.’
When pressed on whether he had spoken to Charles since his diagnosis, Mr Sunak reiterated: ‘I’m in regular contact with him and will continue to be do so.’
And when asked whether face to face meetings would continue with the monarch, he said: ‘I’m in regular contact as I always am and that will absolutely continue.’
Last night, the PM had also wished King Charles a ‘full and speedy recovery’.
The Prime Minister said he had ‘no doubt’ the monarch would be ‘back to full strength in no time’ as well wishes poured in from politicians across the UK.
Buckingham Palace announced yesterday that the King had begun a schedule of regular treatments and was postponing his public-facing duties.
It is not connected with his recent surgery and is not prostate cancer, although the Palace declined to confirm the type of cancer.
Medics spotted the ‘separate issue of concern’ when Charles underwent his medical procedure for an enlarged prostate.
Mr Sunak posted on Twitter/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.’
Mr Sunak’s immediate predecessors as PM – Liz Truss and Boris Johnson – also sent their wishes to the monarch.
Ms Truss tweeted: ‘Sending every best wish to His Majesty The King and the Royal Family as he undergoes his treatment for cancer.
‘He will be in our thoughts and prayers. God Save The King!’
People walk past Buckingham Palace this morning, after it was announced that King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer
Last night, the Prime Minister said he had ‘no doubt’ the monarch would be ‘back to full strength in no time’
Mr Sunak’s immediate predecessors as PM – Liz Truss and Boris Johnson – also sent their wishes to the monarch
And Mr Johnson wrote: ‘The whole country will be rooting for the King today. Best wishes to Charles III for a full and speedy recovery.’
Home Secretary James Cleverly, whose wife Susie battled her own cancer diagnosis in recent years, wished His Majesty ‘a full and speedy recovery’.
‘Susie and I have seen the amazing work that medical professionals can do in cancer treatment,’ he added.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps – who was diagnosed with rare cancer Hodgkin’s lymphoma in his early 30s – said the thoughts of staff across the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces were with the King and the Royal Family.
‘As a cancer survivor, I know how impactful his decision to share this news will be in lifting understanding for those affected,’ Mr Shapps tweeted.
Sir Keir Starmer issued a message on behalf of Labour, posting: ‘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.’
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey wrote: ‘The Liberal Democrats join the rest of the nation in wishing a full and quick recovery to His Majesty.’
Former Labour PM Sir Tony Blair said: ‘Wishing His Majesty the King a full, swift recovery and return to excellent good health.’
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, made a short statement to MPs shortly after the announcement from Buckingham Palace at six o’clock.
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, made a short statement to MPs shortly after the announcement from Buckingham Palace at six o’clock
Sir Keir Starmer, pictured with the King at St James Palace in June last year, wished His Majesty ‘all the very best for his recovery’
The Labour leader said his party looked forward to seeing the monarch ‘back to swift full health’
Sir Lindsay told the chamber: ‘I know the whole House will wish to join me in expressing our sympathies with His Majesty following the news announced this evening.
‘Our thoughts are, of course, with His Majesty The King and his family and we all wish to send him our very best wishes for successful treatment and a speedy recovery following tonight’s news.’
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf said his ‘thoughts and prayers are with His Majesty The King’.
‘I wish him the very best for a speedy recovery and return to public life,’ the SNP leader added.
‘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.’
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was ‘saddened to hear the news’ that Charles was ‘facing further health challenges’.
‘My thoughts and those of people across Wales will be with him and his family this evening,’ he tweeted.
‘I send my very best wishes as he starts treatment for a full and swift recovery. Gwellhad buan.’
Home Secretary James Cleverly, whose wife Susie battled her own cancer diagnosis in recent years, wished His Majesty ‘a full and speedy recovery’
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps – who was diagnosed with rare cancer Hodgkin’s lymphoma in his early 30s – said the thoughts of staff across the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces were with the King and the Royal Family
Northern Ireland’s newly-installed First Minister Michelle O’Neill wished the King a ‘full and speedy recovery’.
‘I am very sorry to hear of King Charles’ illness and I want to wish him well for his treatment, and a full and speedy recovery,’ the Sinn Fein politician posted.
Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she was praying for the King.
‘I would like to wish His Majesty, King Charles all the the very best for his treatment,’ the DUP politician said.
‘I, like many people throughout Northern Ireland, will keep him and his family in my prayers.’
The King was also praised for making his diagnosis public.
Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins wrote on X: ‘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.’
Labour’s 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.
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf said his ‘thoughts and prayers are with His Majesty The King’.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was ‘saddened to hear the news’ that Charles was ‘facing further health challenges’.
Northern Ireland’s newly-installed First Minister Michelle O’Neill wished the King a ‘full and speedy recovery’
‘Sending best wishes to His Majesty for his treatment and to his family as they support him throughout.’
Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament, wished Charles a ‘speedy recovery’.
The Maltese MEP wrote: ‘His example of public service and commitment inspires well beyond the borders of the United Kingdom. I know the people of Europe wish him well.’
Republic, the group that campaigns to abolish the British monarchy, posted on Twitter/X: ‘Cancer is an awful disease and we’re very sorry to hear of Charles’s diagnosis. We wish him a speedy recovery.’
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