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A shocked globe has rallied around King Charles tonight after he revealed that he is battling cancer and is stepping back from public duties during his treatment.

The 75-year-old monarch has said he hopes that his diagnosis ‘may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.’

With Prince Harry set to fly back to Britain to be with his father within days and Prince William to take on some of the King’s duties as the Princess of Wales recovers from abdominal surgery, world statesmen and religious leaders sent their love and support to the King and the Royal Family at this difficult time. 

And as crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace to send best wishes to His Majesty, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared: ‘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.’

US President Joe Biden said tonight that he is ‘concerned’ about the King and plans to call him later. He told reporters: ‘I’m concerned about him. Just heard about his diagnosis. I’ll be talking to him, God willing’.

Former President Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee in November US elections, wrote on his Truth Social network that the king was ‘a wonderful man’ and that ‘we all pray that he has a fast and full recovery’.

Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, said: ‘I am saddened to learn that King Charles is now facing a time of treatment for cancer. On behalf of the entire Catholic Community in England and Wales, I offer His Majesty our warmest wishes and assurance of steadfast prayers for his full and speedy recovery. God bless the King’.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has yet to comment having just returned from Kyiv. 

Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, said: ‘I am saddened to have heard about His Majesty The King’s diagnosis. I know that the Jewish communities of Great Britain and the Commonwealth will join me in wishing him a Refuah Sheleima – a complete and swift recovery’. 

The King is understood to have personally informed his sons Prince William and Prince Harry about his condition. The Duke of Sussex will travel to the UK to see him in the coming days, a source close to Harry said. It is not yet clear if Meghan, Archie and Lilibet will head to the UK but there are claims in the US that they will remain in Montecito.

Queen Camilla will continue with a full programme of public duties following the shock health announcement. 

Well-wishers headed to Buckingham Palace tonight, after it was announced Britain's King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer

Well-wishers headed to Buckingham Palace tonight, after it was announced Britain’s King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer

The King, pictured in France last September, will continue working behind the scenes on red boxes and constitutional duties, but public duties have been paused and will be shared amongst his family

The King, pictured in France last September, will continue working behind the scenes on red boxes and constitutional duties, but public duties have been paused and will be shared amongst his family

King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer , Buckingham Palace announced in a statement this evening. Above: Charles was last seen waving to well-wishers as he attended a service with his wife Queen Camilla at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Sunday

King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer , Buckingham Palace announced in a statement this evening. Above: Charles was last seen waving to well-wishers as he attended a service with his wife Queen Camilla at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Sunday

Buckingham Palace said in a statement tonight: 'During The King's recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer'

Buckingham Palace said in a statement tonight: ‘During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer’

The world is wishing the King world tonight after he revealed his cancer. 

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: ‘During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.

‘His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.

‘The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. 

‘He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.

‘His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.’

The King also apologised for having to postpone his upcoming engagements. 

A spokesman added: ‘Regrettably, a number of the King’s forthcoming public engagements will have to be rearranged or postponed.

‘His Majesty would like to apologise to all those who may be disappointed or inconvenienced as a consequence.’

Announcing that Prince Harry will come and see his father, a source close to the Duke said: ‘The duke did speak with his father about his diagnosis. 

‘He will be traveling to UK to see His Majesty in the coming days.’ 

All of the King’s siblings, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Duke of Edinburgh were told personally by Charles, royal aides said. 

The recent diagnosis means the King is unlikely to be at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 11, which is usually attended by senior members of the royal family. 

It is understood he will continue to receive red boxes and process state documents during treatment and there are no plans to appoint Counsellors of State. 

It is understood details of the King’s diary are still being worked on and it is not yet known when a full programme of engagements will begin.

The palace said the Queen will continue with a full programme of public duties.

Other working members of the royal family could undertake additional duties on behalf of the King but it is understood planning for future state visits will continue where possible.

It is also understood that Charles will continue to be available for Privy Council meetings, but details of how they will take place are still being worked through.

It is expected that alternative arrangements will be made for his weekly audience with the Prime Minister should doctors advise him to minimise any in-person contact.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: ‘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.’

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told MPs: ‘I know the whole House will wish to join me in expressing our sympathies with His Majesty the King following the news announcement this evening. 

‘Our thoughts are, of course, with His Majesty and his family, and we’d all wish to send him our very best wishes for the successful treatment and a speedy recovery following tonight’s news.’

The monarch, 75, received treatment for an enlarged prostate last week, spending three nights at the London Clinic private hospital

The monarch, 75, received treatment for an enlarged prostate last week, spending three nights at the London Clinic private hospital

When he was discharged from hospital last Monday, the King appeared steady on his feet as he walked out of the London Clinic in Marylebone with Queen Camilla by his side

When he was discharged from hospital last Monday, the King appeared steady on his feet as he walked out of the London Clinic in Marylebone with Queen Camilla by his side

Reacting to the news, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: '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'

Reacting to the news, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: ‘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’

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: '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'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: ‘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’

KING’S CANCER DIAGNOSIS: THE ROYAL FAMILY’S RECENT HEALTH SCARES 

The King’s cancer diagnosis is the latest shock health news to hit the royal family. 

– Tuesday January 16

Kate, 42, is secretly admitted to the London Clinic and undergoes abdominal surgery.

– Wednesday January 17

2pm – Kensington Palace announces the princess’ operation and says she will remain in the private hospital for 10-14 days.

She is not expected to return to duties until after Easter, taking up to three months to recover.

The Prince of Wales steps back from his official duties temporarily to care of his wife and children.

The exact nature of Kate’s condition is kept private, but it is not cancerous and Kensington Palace says the planned procedure was successful.

3.25pm – Buckingham Palace announces the King, 75, is to have treatment for a benign enlarged prostate and will be admitted to hospital in a few days.

A source later says the princess is ‘doing well’.

– Thursday January 18

The Prince of Wales spends time at his wife’s bedside, driving himself away from the back entrance during the low-key, private visit.

The Queen says the King is ‘fine’ and ‘looking forward to getting back to work’ during a visit to the Aberdeen Art Gallery.

– Friday January 19

The King flies back from Scotland with the Queen and heads to his Sandringham estate in Norfolk to rest ahead of the procedure.

– Sunday January 21

It is announced that the King’s former sister-in-law, Sarah, Duchess of York, has malignant melanoma, a form skin cancer.

It is less than a year since the duchess, 64, was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

– Monday January 22

The Queen tells 86-year-old well-wisher Jessie Jackson that the King is ‘fine’, and thanks her for asking, while she carries out engagements in Swindon.

Sarah, Duchess of York, meanwhile, describes her shock at having skin cancer but says she is in ‘good spirits’ and ‘grateful for the many messages of love and support’, in a post on Instagram.

– Tuesday January 23

Kate’s hospital stay passes the one-week mark.

Camilla urges the King to take it easy. An insider told The Sun: ‘The Queen has told him he needs to slow down a bit.’

– Thursday January 25

The King carried out behind the scenes official duties, meeting academics from Cambridge University at Sandringham House.

The King arrives back in London from Norfolk ready for his treatment.

– Friday January 26

The King, with the Queen at his side, is admitted to the London Clinic for treatment for an enlarged prostate and also visits the Princess of Wales, who is recovering in the same hospital.

– Monday January 29

The King is discharged from hospital and waves at well-wishers. Kate leaves the clinic the same day to continue her recovery at home.

– Wednesday January 31

Camilla says the King is ‘getting on, doing his best’ as she opened a Maggie’s cancer support centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

– Sunday February 4

The King and Queen attend church in Sandringham, with Charles waving at well-wishers.

– Monday February 5

Kensington Palace confirms the Prince of Wales is returning to official duties this week, beginning with an investiture.

6pm – Buckingham Palace announces the King has a form of cancer – but not prostate cancer – and has started treatment as an outpatient.

He will not carry out public-facing duties, but will carry on with behind the scenes state business and official papers.

The diagnosis is also likely to be professionally devastating for Charles, who was the longest-serving heir to the throne in British history before he became King on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, on September 8 2022.

Since then he has hit the ground running with three state visits overseas, hosting two incoming state visits to the UK and undertaking hundreds of public engagements each year, taking on a punishing official workload well into his 70s.

Aides have said he has relished the challenge and is hugely enjoying his royal role.

The King’s diagnosis will pose serious questions for the working of the monarchy, with fewer working members of the royal family and the Princess of Wales out of action due to what has only been described as ‘abdominal surgery’ until after Easter.

The Prince of Wales, who is heir to the throne, had cleared his diary to be by his wife’s side and keep life as normal as possible for their three children.

Kensington Palace announced earlier today, however, that he would resume public duties this week by conducting an investiture on Wednesday at Windsor Castle, followed by a gala fundraising event for the London Air Ambulance in the evening.

While Queen Elizabeth suffered episodic periods of ill-health over the years and underwent surgery on a number of occasions, including on her knee and cataracts, there was no major health crisis of this magnitude until the very last months of her historic 70-year reign.

That, however, would have a serious knock-on effect on the family life of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

They moved to Windsor 18-months ago in order to allow their children to enjoy a more carefree childhood, outside of the royal bubble, until absolutely necessary.

Prince George, ten, who is second in line to the throne, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis all attend a local school. Lambrook, and have settled in well at their new home, Adelaide Cottage.

William and Kate’s team are still based at Kensington Palace in London, their official residence, and travel up to Windsor for meetings.

Questions will inevitably be asked how practicable it will be for them to do so now.

The King has largely enjoyed very good health throughout his life, apart from suffering from a cripplingly bad back.

The first sign that anything was amiss with his health came on January 17 when Buckingham Palace made a surprise announcement that the King had ‘sought treatment’ for an enlarged prostate.

The palace added that His Majesty’s condition was ‘benign’ and that he would attend hospital the following week for a corrective procedure.

They said he was personally keen to share details of his diagnosis to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get themselves check.

The NHS subsequently reported an encouraging spike in people seeking more information on their website.

His Majesty, who was in Scotland at the time, travelled back down to Sandringham afterwards and then on to London the night before his surgery.

He was admitted to The London Clinic in Marylebone, central London, on January 26 with his wife, Queen Camilla, by his side.

Buckingham Palace said he wanted to thank everyone for their good wishes and was delighted to learn that his diagnosis was having a positive impact on public health awareness.

He was finally released on Monday last week after three nights in hospital and said to be ‘doing well’.

He initially resided at Clarence House, his London residence, in order to be close to his doctors, before returning to Sandringham with his wife.

Queen Camilla has continued to undertake public engagements, telling members of the l public that her husband was ‘doing fine’ and looking forwards to getting back to work.

Last Tuesday she told well-wishers he was ‘getting on’ and ‘doing his best’, adding: ‘Thank goodness!’

One in every three men over the age of 50 will have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, which include needing to visit the toilet more frequently, with more urgency, and difficulty emptying the bladder.

An enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, does not usually pose a serious threat to health, and it is not cancer.

But patients may need to have several tests for the condition to rule out the possibility they have another illness with similar symptoms, such as prostate cancer.

Surgery is usually only recommended for moderate to severe symptoms that have not responded to medicine.

Following today’s news, former Prime Minister and Mail columnist Boris Johnson wrote on X: ‘The whole country will be rooting for the King today. Best wishes to Charles III for a full and speedy recovery.’

Liz Truss, Mr Sunak’s short-lived predecessor as PM, said: ‘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!’ 

Vedant Patel, a spokesman for the US State Department, said it is ‘incredibly sad news’ and added: ‘I’m very sorry for the King and his family’. 

He told a briefing of reporters that the Biden administration’s thoughts are with the King and the Royal Family. 

Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, wished the King a ‘full and swift recovery’ following his cancer diagnosis.

The 75-year-old monarch left the London Clinic last monday with Queen Camilla by his side

The 75-year-old monarch left the London Clinic last monday with Queen Camilla by his side

The King waved to a large crowd of wellwishers when he left the London Clinic last Monday

The King waved to a large crowd of wellwishers when he left the London Clinic last Monday

The King was visited by Queen Camilla four times when he was in hospital

 The King was visited by Queen Camilla four times when he was in hospital

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he said: ‘I’m saddened to hear the news that HM King Charles III is facing further health challenges.

‘My thoughts and those of people across Wales will be with him and his family this evening.

‘I send my very best wishes as he starts treatment for a full and swift recovery. Gwellhad buan.’

Northern Ireland’s new republican 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,’ she posted on X.

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,’ she said.

‘I, like many people throughout Northern Ireland, will keep him and his family in my prayers.’

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: ‘I am saddened to have heard about His Majesty The King’s diagnosis. 

‘I know that the Jewish communities of Great Britain and the Commonwealth will join me in wishing him a Refuah Sheleima – a complete and swift recovery.’

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.’

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.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the Sunday service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on February 4, 2024

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the Sunday service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on February 4, 2024

‘Sending best wishes to His Majesty for his treatment and to his family as they support him throughout.’

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, said: ‘I am saddened to learn that King Charles is now facing a time of treatment for cancer. 

‘On behalf of the entire Catholic Community in England and Wales, I offer His Majesty our warmest wishes and assurance of steadfast prayers for his full and speedy recovery. God bless the King.’

A statement from Macmillan Cancer Support said everyone at the charity was sending their best wishes.

The statement on X said: ‘Our thoughts are with His Majesty the King and his family. We are sending our best wishes at what we know must be an incredibly challenging time.

The King has been a long-standing supporter of Macmillan, becoming patron of the charity in 1997.

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This post first appeared on Daily mail