King Charles 'deeply touched' by reaction to his cancer message as Palace issues statement

Lewis Henderson

By Lewis Henderson


Published: 13/12/2025

- 18:02

Updated: 13/12/2025

- 18:02

The Palace said it is 'most grateful for the many kind comments we have received'

King Charles is "deeply touched" by the reaction to his cancer message as Buckingham Palace shared a statement.

The King shared the encouraging news that he can begin scaling back his cancer treatment in a video message aired on Channel 4 as part of a special Stand Up To Cancer UK broadcast.


The Palace said it has been "delighted by the scale and sensitivity of the worldwide media reaction".

It explained that it is "most grateful for the many kind comments we have received for the King, both from those working in cancer care and from the general public".

King Charles IIIThe King is 'deeply touch' by the reaction to his cancer message | CHANNEL 4 / PA

The Palace continued: "I know His Majesty will be greatly encouraged and deeply touched by the very positive reaction his message has generated.

"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."

King Charles

The King's 'thoughts and warmest wishes will remain with all those affected by cancer and those who care for them'

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CHANNEL 4 / BANGO STUDIOS

In his speech, the King said it "troubles me deeply" that millions of people across the UK miss the opportunity for early cancer diagnosis.

The monarch urged the public to take up routine screening in a heartfelt plea.

His majesty asked viewers during the festive season to hold in their "hearts, and your minds and prayers" the hundreds of thousands of people diagnosed with cancer each year, as well as "the millions more who love and care for them".

Drawing on his own experience, the King said: "I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming.

King Charles

The king said: 'I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming'

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CHANNEL 4 / BANGO STUDIOS

"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."

He told viewers that those gifts were ones "we can all help deliver", before praising what he described as the "community of care" surrounding cancer patients.

The King said he had been "profoundly moved" by the specialists, nurses, researchers and volunteers who "work tirelessly to save and improve lives".

However, he said he had learned something during his own cancer journey that caused him deep concern.

King Charles

The King urged people to get scanned for cancer early

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CHANNEL 4

The monarch explained: "I have also learned something that troubles me deeply - at least nine million people in our country are not up to date with the cancer screenings available to them.

"That is at least nine million opportunities for early diagnosis being missed."

The King said the consequences of delayed diagnosis were clear, adding: "The statistics speak with stark clarity."

Citing bowel cancer as an example, he said: "When bowel cancer is caught at the earliest stage, around nine in 10 people survive for at least five years. When diagnosed late, that falls to just one in 10. Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives."