King Charles delivered a historic televised message this evening as part of Channel 4's Stand Up To Cancer 2025 broadcast, sharing positive news about his ongoing battle with the disease.
The 77-year-old monarch announced that his cancer treatment schedule will be scaled back in the New Year, describing this development as "both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years."
The address, which aired at 8pm, represents an extraordinary departure from royal convention regarding the sovereign's private medical matters. It was recorded in late November at Clarence House's Morning Room.
The King used the platform to urge viewers across the United Kingdom to prioritise cancer screenings, revealing that a minimum of nine million people have fallen behind on available screening programmes.
King Charles delivered a historic televised message this evening as part of Channel 4's Stand Up To Cancer 2025 broadcast, sharing positive news about his ongoing battle with the disease.
| CHANNEL 4 / PATRENDING
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The monarch first learned of his condition in February 2024, when medical professionals identified a form of cancer during a hospital procedure for an enlarged prostate. Buckingham Palace confirmed the illness was unrelated to prostate cancer but has not disclosed the specific type, citing the King's right to medical privacy.
Since receiving his diagnosis, the King has attended weekly treatment sessions whilst maintaining a demanding schedule of official engagements. His working calendar has remained full throughout the past year, including five state visits completed in 2025.
The decision to speak openly about his health marks a significant shift in how the Palace approaches communication about the sovereign's wellbeing.
When initially announcing the diagnosis, the Palace explained that the King wished to share his condition publicly to avoid speculation and help others affected by cancer worldwide.
In his address, the King expressed deep concern about the millions missing potentially life-saving checks.
He said: "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 acknowledged that receiving a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but emphasised that catching the disease early provides medical teams with invaluable time and offers patients what he called "the precious gift of hope."
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The King acknowledged that receiving a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but emphasised that catching the disease early provides medical teams with invaluable time and offers patients what he called "the precious gift of hope."
King Charles reflected on how discovering his illness at an early stage had allowed him to continue leading what he described as "a full and active life" whilst undergoing treatment. His own experience, he noted, demonstrated the profound difference that timely intervention can make.
Throughout his cancer journey, the King said he had been "profoundly moved" by the support network surrounding patients. He praised "the specialists, the nurses, researchers and volunteers who work tirelessly to save and improve lives," describing this collective effort as a "community of care."
The monarch expressed hope that his positive news might encourage others facing similar diagnoses. He noted that half of all people will receive a cancer diagnosis at some point during their lifetime, making awareness of treatment advances particularly significant.
King Charles reflected on how discovering his illness at an early stage had allowed him to continue leading what he described as "a full and active life" whilst undergoing treatment
|GETTY
King Charles addressed common anxieties that prevent people from attending screening appointments. He noted that many individuals avoid these checks because they imagine the process might be "frightening, embarrassing or uncomfortable."
Yet the King observed that those who do eventually respond to their screening invitations are typically pleased they participated.
"A few moments of minor inconvenience are a small price to pay for the reassurance that comes for most people," he said.
The King concluded his address with a call for collective action as the year draws to a close.
He said: "This December, as we gather to reflect on the year past, I pray that we can each pledge, as part of our resolutions for the year ahead, to play our part in helping to catch cancer early. Your life - or the life of someone you love - may depend upon it."
King Charles offered his "most heartfelt thanks" to the doctors, nurses, researchers and charity workers involved in diagnosis and treatment programmes, extending particular good wishes to those in their care.
The broadcast formed the centrepiece of this year's Stand Up To Cancer campaign, organised jointly with Cancer Research UK. The initiative aims to emphasise the importance of early diagnosis whilst raising funds for cancer research and supporting those living with the disease.
A spokesperson for The King has told GB News: “The King has taken great comfort and encouragement from being able to continue leading a full and active life throughout his treatment, while always heeding the advice of his medical team. His ability to uphold all of his State duties, and to continue with public engagements and overseas tours, has helped greatly with the positive mindset that, as many families will know, is such a vital a part of the recovery journey.”
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