King Charles is “deeply touched” by the reaction to his personal update on cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace has said, after his televised message prompted a sharp rise in public interest in screening programmes across the UK.
His Majesty disclosed on Friday that doctors will be able to scale back his cancer treatment in the new year, crediting early diagnosis and effective intervention for the progress he has made. The message, recorded for Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer broadcast, marked the most substantive update on his health since he revealed his diagnosis in February last year.
Speaking on Saturday evening, a palace spokesperson said the King had been struck by both the scale and tone of the response. The Palace, it said, had been “delighted by the scale and sensitivity of the worldwide media reaction” and was “most grateful for the many kind comments” sent by members of the public and those working in cancer care.
“I know His Majesty will be greatly encouraged and deeply touched by the very positive reaction his message has generated,” the spokesperson said. Particular satisfaction, it added, had been taken from the way the broadcast had drawn renewed attention to the value of cancer screening.
That effect was swift and measurable. Cancer Research UK reported a surge in visits to its new online Screening Checker, which was launched earlier this month to help people establish which NHS screening programmes they are eligible for. Tens of thousands of users accessed the site in the hours and days following the King’s broadcast, while NHS England said traffic to its cancer information pages more than doubled within a 24-hour period.
Public health leaders described the response as evidence of the unique influence wielded by the monarch when speaking openly about personal experience. Michelle Mitchell, the chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said the increase in engagement demonstrated how candid conversations about cancer could translate directly into action. “Taking just a few minutes to check what screening you’re eligible for could be an important step towards protecting your health and could ultimately save lives,” she said.
In his address, the King spoke with unusual frankness about the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis, describing it as overwhelming while emphasising the hope offered by early detection. He told viewers that early diagnosis had enabled him to continue “leading a full and active life” even while undergoing treatment, a point reinforced by the Palace in recent weeks as the King has maintained a demanding programme of public engagements and overseas visits.
Charles also used the broadcast to issue a direct appeal to the public, urging people not to delay or avoid screening. He said it troubled him deeply that millions of people across the country were not up to date with the checks available to them, describing this as “at least nine million opportunities for early diagnosis being missed”.
Citing bowel cancer as an example, the King drew a stark contrast between outcomes for early and late diagnosis, noting that survival rates fall dramatically when the disease is caught too late. “Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives,” he said, urging viewers to take up invitations for screening even if they felt apprehensive.
Behind the scenes, the Palace has long taken the view that there was a public benefit in the King sharing aspects of his medical journey, despite the monarchy’s traditional reticence around personal health matters. The spokesperson said it had been Charles’s belief that if openness could encourage even a small number of people to seek checks or treatment, it would be “his pleasure and duty” to speak out.
The message also carried a strong note of gratitude towards those working in cancer care. The King spoke of being “profoundly moved” by what he called a “community of care” surrounding patients, praising specialists, nurses, researchers and volunteers for their dedication. The Palace said his thoughts and “warmest wishes” would remain with all those affected by cancer and those who support them.
While Buckingham Palace has stressed that the King is not cured and will continue to be monitored, the move to reduce the intensity of treatment has been interpreted as a positive milestone. Officials are careful to avoid the language of remission, instead framing the next phase as precautionary.
