LONDON: After Buckingham Palace’s announcement of his cancer diagnosis, Britain’s King Charles III made his first public appearance on Sunday, attending a church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, eastern England.
Accompanied by his wife Queen Camilla, the 75-year-old monarch greeted the waiting media with a wave as he entered the church, where he was warmly received by Reverend Paul Williams, the church’s rector.
The outing follows a message released by the king on Saturday, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support and well-wishes he has received since the announcement of his diagnosis. In his statement, Charles acknowledged the comfort and encouragement provided by the kindness of others during this challenging time.
King Charles Starts Cancer Treatment
The palace had disclosed that the king had started treatment for a “form of cancer,” though specific details regarding the type of cancer were not provided. The diagnosis arose during an investigation into a separate health concern while he was receiving treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.
Despite the health setback, Charles continues to fulfill administrative responsibilities while taking an indefinite hiatus from public royal duties.
The news of Charles’ cancer diagnosis came relatively early into his reign, succeeding the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022. Throughout his tenure, the king has enjoyed generally good health, aside from occasional injuries sustained from sporting activities such as polo and skiing.
Earlier in the week, Charles was photographed leaving his London residence, Clarence House, en route to Sandringham. During his stay there, he briefly met with his estranged son, Prince Harry, who traveled from the United States to visit his father following the diagnosis.
Despite the challenges posed by his health condition, Queen Camilla remarked on Thursday that Charles is coping “extremely well.”
