King Charles has hailed a “milestone” in his “cancer journey” and revealed he is to reduce his schedule of treatment in the new year, describing the news as a “personal blessing”.
His treatment will move into a precautionary phase with its regularity significantly reduced as his recovery reaches a very positive stage, it is understood. His medical team will assess how much longer he will require treatment to protect and prioritise his continued recovery.
In a prerecorded video message on Friday for Channel 4’s Stand Up to Cancer night, Charles spoke of how early detection had transformed his own journey and how early diagnosis could give “invaluable time to medical teams – and, to their patients, the precious gift of hope”.
Without disclosing what type of cancer he has, Charles said: “Today, I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders’, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the new year.
“This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years; testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the 50% of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives.”
Speaking of the importance of early diagnosis, he said: “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.”
But he expressed concern that at least 9 million people in the UK were not up to date with the cancer screenings available to them.
He was therefore “encouraged” to learn about a new national screening checker, launched earlier this month, which shows who is eligible for existing breast, bowel and cervical cancer screening programmes.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “His majesty has responded exceptionally well to treatment and his doctors advise that ongoing measures will now move into a precautionary phase. This position will be continuously monitored and reviewed to protect and prioritise his continued recovery.
“As the king has said, this milestone on his recovery journey is ‘a great personal blessing’.”
Charles is said to remain profoundly grateful to all those involved in caring for patients, in particular to his own medical team. “He sends his particular good wishes to all those affected by cancer and will continue to hold them and their loved ones in his thoughts and prayers,” said the spokesperson.
The king was approached to lend support to the online screening tool and thought it a “fitting moment to provide a brief update on the positive trajectory of his own continued recovery”.
The spokesperson said: “The king has taken great comfort and encouragement from being able to continue leading a full and active life throughout his treatment, while always heeding the advice of his medical team. His ability to uphold all of his state duties, and to continue with public engagements and overseas tours, has helped greatly with the positive mindset that, as many families will know, is such a vital part of the recovery journey.
“The advice from cancer experts is that, in his determination to support the whole cancer community, it is preferable that his majesty does not address his own specific condition but rather speaks to those affected by all forms of the disease.”
The king’s cancer diagnosis was announced in February 2024 as he was treated for benign prostate enlargement, though the palace has confirmed he does not have prostate cancer. His message should not be interpreted as a view on the recent debate over a national screening programme for prostate cancer, it is understood, and the palace consulted the government before issuing the message.
The prime minister said he was “glad” the king’s cancer treatment was to be reduced.
In a post on social media, Keir Starmer said: “A powerful message from His Majesty The King. I know I speak for the entire country when I say how glad I am that his cancer treatment will be reduced in the new year. Early cancer screening saves lives.”
The screening checker has been developed by Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 for the Stand Up to Cancer campaign to help people understand which NHS cancer screening programmes they are eligible for.
Michelle Mitchell, the chief executive of Cancer Research UK, of which Charles is patron, said: “We know that when public figures speak openly about their cancer diagnosis, it can prompt others to check in on their health and speak to a GP if something is worrying them. We wish his majesty well with his continued recovery.”
