The British King Charles III. received numerous well wishes after learning that he had cancer. On Monday evening, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles had already started treatment and would postpone public appearances on the advice of doctors. However, he will continue to conduct state business “as usual”. The king “remains very optimistic about his treatment” and looks forward to resuming his public duties “as soon as possible,” it said.
One of the first high-ranking politicians to react to the news was British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He wished Charles, who is also head of state, a speedy recovery: “I wish His Majesty a full and speedy recovery. I have no doubt that he will quickly return to full strength and I know that the whole country wishes him well becomes.” The BBC has learned that the king will continue to meet weekly with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak despite his cancer diagnosis.
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, shared on best wishes – and hope for a speedy and full recovery.” Charles is head of state of Canada.
Good wishes also came from the USA. “Our thoughts are, of course, first and foremost with the king, with the king and his family,” said Vedant Patel, deputy spokesman for the US State Department. “This is incredibly sad news.”
“I’m worried about him,” said US President Joe Biden on Monday on the sidelines of an appointment in Las Vegas in the US state of Nevada, according to reporters traveling with him when asked. He had only recently found out about the diagnosis and hoped to be able to speak to Charles soon – “God willing”.
Biden’s predecessor in the White House, Donald Trump, also reacted to Charles’ diagnosis: “He is a wonderful person who I have gotten to know well during my presidency, and we all pray that he will make a quick and full recovery!”, quoting him the Reuters news agency.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wrote on X: “On behalf of all Kiwis, I wish His Majesty all the best for a speedy recovery.” As in Canada, King Charles is head of state of the Pacific island nation.
Sources: news agencies AFP, DPA and Reuters
