Fergie’s prayers for Charles: Sarah Ferguson says the King is ‘very dear to me’ amid claims the pair have grown closer over their cancer battles by ‘exchanging letters’
- The Duchess of York gave a speech at the Cancer Alliance Hope and Help event
- Sarah, 64, previously battled breast cancer and was diagnosed with skin cancer
Sarah Ferguson says the King is ‘very dear to me’ and says he is in her ‘thoughts and prayers’ as she appears at a charity lunch.
The Duchess of York spoke at the Cancer Alliance Hope and Help Luncheon in Palm Beach, Florida – the first event since her melanoma diagnosis.
Sarah, 64, who has previously battled breast cancer, was diagnosed with skin cancer, while the King has been diagnosed with an unspecified form of the disease.
Commenting on the event, she said: “His Majesty is very dear to me and I think I speak for everyone when I say he is in my thoughts and prayers.
“It felt like a good time to raise money to support others dealing with cancer diagnoses, who may be going through financial or emotional challenges in the face of a health emergency.”
King Charles began treatment in a London hospital this week and is said to be ‘completely positive’ about his prognosis and ‘looks forward to returning to full public duties as soon as possible’.
Sarah Ferguson (pictured) speaks at the Cancer Alliance Hope and Help Luncheon in Palm Beach, Florida – the first event since her melanoma diagnosis
King Charles and the Duchess of York ‘bonded’ over their battle with cancer with ‘an exchange of letters’, a royal source claims
The first sign that something was wrong with King Charles’ health came on January 17 when Buckingham Palace made a surprise announcement that the king had “sought treatment” for an enlarged prostate.
Following news of her skin cancer diagnosis, it was reported that Charles wrote a letter to the Duchess of York to express his support and well wishes.
Fergie has since reciprocated the gesture after news of the King’s fight became public.
It was reported that the pair are ‘incredibly fond of each other’ and have bonded over their respective cancer diagnoses with an ‘exchange of letters’.
The first sign that something was wrong with King Charles’ health came on January 17 when Buckingham Palace made a surprise announcement that the king had “sought treatment” for an enlarged prostate.
Sarah attended a Cancer Alliance event with Erbil Gunasti (left). The Duchess was the keynote speaker at the event
64-year-old Sarah, who has previously battled breast cancer, was diagnosed with skin cancer, while the King has been diagnosed with an unspecified form of the disease
He chose to make his prostate treatment public, with the aim of encouraging more men to undergo prostate checks, the palace said at the time.
Shortly afterwards, palace officials also revealed that he chose to share his cancer diagnosis in the hope that it would “increase public understanding for everyone around the world affected by cancer.”
No further details about Charles’ condition have been shared, other than that he remains “completely positive” and is looking forward to returning to full public duties.
Family and friends are said to be amazed at the king’s determination to continue with ‘business as usual’.
He is at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk and is expected to return to London for weekly treatments.
Last month, NHS England saw a huge increase in people seeking information about melanoma, the fifth most common form of cancer, after Sarah, Duchess of York, was diagnosed with the disease.
The Duchess of York, 64, is said to be in “good spirits” despite the “disturbing” news, which marks her second cancer diagnosis in six months after being treated for breast cancer last year.
One visit was made to the NHS website every 13 seconds for information about melanoma in the two days following the announcement.