Buckingham Palace issue statement hours after Prince Charles' cancer announcement

King Charles's feelings about comments made in response to his personal cancer update will be overwhelmingly positive, Buckingham Palace has said. The Monarch will be "deeply touched", the Palace said, by the "positive reaction" to his message. It comes after Charles issued an unprecedented video message last night.

His Majesty said his treatment is being scaled back in January following his diagnosis in February 2024 when he was admitted to hospital for an enlarged prostate. King Charles also urged millions to take up available screenings for the disease. A spokesperson said Buckingham Palace has been "delighted by the scale and sensitivity of the worldwide media reaction".

The Palace said it is "most grateful for the many kind comments" it has received for the King, "both from those working in cancer care and from the general public".

Buckingham Palace's spokesperson added: "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."

Charles delivered his message in support of the Stand Up To Cancer campaign. He said early diagnosis had meant he could "continue leading a full and active life, even while undergoing treatment".

The King went on to say he was "troubled" to learn that nine million people around the UK are not up to date with cancer screening available to them, adding: "That is at least nine million opportunities for early diagnosis being missed."

He added: "Too often, I am told, people avoid screening because they imagine it may be frightening, embarrassing or uncomfortable. If and when they do finally take up their invitation, they are glad they took part.

"A few moments of minor inconvenience are a small price to pay for the reassurance that comes for most people when they are either told either they don't need further tests or, for some, are given the chance to enable early detection, with the life-saving intervention that can follow."

Charles urged people to use the online screening checker, screeningchecker.co.uk, which enables them to discover if they are eligible for screening.

Cancer Research UK said about 100,000 people visited their new Screening Checker since it was launched on December 5, the majority taking place after Charles's message on Friday.