King Charles opens up about cancer recovery in TV address

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Britain’s King Charles III opened up about his cancer diagnosis in a video message that was broadcast on television across the U.K. on Friday.

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The 77-year-old monarch Charles reflected on his recovery journey while stressing “the importance of cancer screening programs in enabling early diagnosis,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement prior to the prerecorded message.

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Charles’ message to Britons

“Throughout my own cancer journey, I’ve been profoundly moved by what I can only call the community of care that surrounds every cancer patient, especially the specialists, the nurses, researchers and volunteers who work tirelessly to save and improve lives,” he began.

“But 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,” he said almost incredulously.

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“Early detection quite simply saves lives,” he continued, noting how it’s something he has heard “repeatedly” during his visits to cancer centres.

Charles shares positive results

“I know, too, what a difference it has made in my own case, enabling me to continue leading a full and active life even while undergoing treatment,” Charles revealed before announcing some good news.

“Indeed, today I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctor’s orders, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the new year.”

He added: “This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years.”

Charles went on to detail the U.K.’s new online tool that allows people to check whether they are eligible for breast, bowel or cervical cancer screenings.

“It demystifies the process, answers your questions and guides you toward taking that crucial step,” he concluded in his message.

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When Charles first announced diagnosis

Charles revealed in February 2024 his cancer diagnosis, which was detected after undergoing a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate the previous month, the palace previously stated.

No further details, including the form of cancer detected, were provided.

Similarly, his daughter-in-law Princess Catherine received her diagnosis while she was hospitalized for abdominal surgery.

Kate also has not publicly disclosed the type of cancer she has, only that it required preventative chemotherapy.

Earlier this year, she revealed that her cancer was in remission.

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Both Charles and Kate stepped back from royal duties, with the King receiving weekly outpatient treatment, while managing to continue state business.

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Following a brief hiatus, Charles went right back to work in April 2024 when he met patients and clinicians at London’s University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre.

Charles went on to attend public engagements and travelled overseas, including his and Queen Camilla’s royal visit to Canada this past May.

Months before their visit, Charles was briefly hospitalized for observation after experiencing “temporary side effects” related to a scheduled cancer treatment, the Palace said in a statement at the time.

Friday’s message, which was filmed late last month at his and Camilla’s previous residence Clarence House, is part of Stand Up To Cancer 2025, a joint campaign from Cancer Research UK and British broadcaster Channel 4.

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