King Charles III presented his “most sincere thanks” on Saturday to the people who sent him messages of support, in his first press release since his cancer diagnosis. “I would like to express my most sincere thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes that I have received in recent days,” Charles III wrote. “As anyone affected by cancer knows, kind thoughts like these provide the greatest comfort and encouragement,” added the 75-year-old sovereign.

The press release was published on the British royal family’s website and X account. “It is also heartwarming to hear how sharing my diagnosis has helped to raise awareness among the general public and highlight the work of all of these organizations that support cancer patients and their families to across the UK and the rest of the world.”

“My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as I personally experience it,” adds the message signed “Charles R.”.

The king went to mass this Sunday morning, with Queen Camilla, at Sandrigham, his estate in Norfolk where he has been resting since leaving hospital. He greeted the crowd as he arrived at the church.

Less than 18 months after acceding to the throne, the sovereign began treatment on Monday for a form of cancer which was not specified. We know that the disease was detected during a recent operation for benign prostatic hypertrophy but that it is not prostate cancer.

If he will continue some of his administrative functions, he will be absent from public life for an indefinite period.