The King has spoken of the “daunting and at times frightening experience” of receiving a cancer diagnosis, in the most personal reflection of his own battle with the disease. Ahead of hosting a special reception for cancer charities at Buckingham Palace this evening, in a written message Charles told of his appreciation for the “profound impact of human connection”, observing how “the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion”.
In the personally penned message for the programme of the event, attended by champions of cancer charities and those who are living with cancer, including radio DJ Adele Roberts, TV personality Ashley Cain, actor Richard E Grant, and the parents of the late campaigner Dame Deborah James, the King highlighted the gravity of 1,000 people a day being handed a cancer diagnosis.
Revealing his own feelings of becoming “among those statistics myself”, he added: “I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity.” Charles was diagnosed with cancer last February following a three night hospital stay at The London Clinic in Marylebone for an enlarged prostate procedure. Subsequent diagnostic tests identified a form of cancer.
The King has continued to have weekly treatment at a London hospital, returning to public duties last April. Since then he has taken on an extraordinary schedule of public work, telling aides he is intently “keen to make up for lost time”. In his message, Charles praised the selfless “care, comfort and reassurance” of all who work in the sector, acknowledging his own experience had led to “an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken”.
The King said: “My wife and I are delighted to host you here this evening to are, comfort and reassurance, celebrate and above all thank those who so selflessly give to the 390,000 people who, sadly, receive a new cancer diagnosis across the U.K. each year. That is over 1,000 new cases every single day.
