Emmanuel Macron and a ‘concerned’ Joe Biden last night extended well wishes to Britain’s King Charles following news of his shock cancer diagnosis.
Buckingham Palace announced the news on Monday evening, saying the Monarch had already started treatment after the cancer was discovered.
His diagnosis means that less than 18 months into his term in office, the 75-year-old will suspend public involvement but continue with state affairs, and will not hand over his constitutional role as head of state.
World leaders, many of whom Charles met during his decades of royal service, expressed hope that the British king will make a speedy recovery.
US President Joe Biden said he was “concerned” about the king’s cancer diagnosis as foreign leaders wished him a speedy recovery, while President Macron – who is believed to have a warm relationship with Charles – extended his friendship France said.
Emmanuel Macron and a ‘concerned’ Joe Biden last night extended well wishes to Britain’s King Charles following news of his shock cancer diagnosis. Macron (seen with Charles in Paris last year) is said to have a warm relationship with the British monarch
Biden, who is six years older than the 75-year-old king, was asked by reporters if he had a message for Charles during a visit to Las Vegas.
The president responded, “I’m worried about him. Just heard of his diagnosis.
“I’ll talk to him, God willing.”
Biden later tweeted: “Navigating cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survival takes hope and absolute courage.
“Jill and I join the people of Great Britain in praying that His Majesty may experience a speedy and full recovery.”
His predecessor in the White House, Donald Trump, described the king as a “great man” having met him during his time as US president.
The Republican Party frontrunner in the upcoming presidential election posted on his Truth Social platform: “King Charles has cancer.
“He is a wonderful man who I have gotten to know well during my presidency, and we all pray that he has a quick and full recovery!”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also extended his best wishes.
He tweeted: “I, like Canadians across the country and people around the world, are thinking of His Majesty King Charles III as he undergoes treatment for cancer.
‘We send him our very best wishes – and hope for a speedy and full recovery.’
Canada is one of the fourteen Commonwealth realms where the king is head of state.
The leader of Commonwealth member Australia said his country’s thoughts were with the king and his family.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “Australians know that His Majesty King Charles has always reached us at our country’s most difficult times, showing kindness and care to those who are struggling.
US President Joe Biden (who shook hands with Charles in July last year), who is six years older than the 75-year-old king, was asked by reporters if he had a message for Charles during a visit to Las Vegas
Joe Biden’s predecessor in the White House, Donald Trump, described the king (pictured together in 2019) as a “great man” after meeting him during his time as US president.
‘We are all thinking of him and his family at this difficult time.
‘We wish him the best for a speedy recovery.’
Mr Albanese, who has said he believes an Australian citizen should replace the British monarch as head of state, recently shelved a plan to hold a referendum on becoming a republic.
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: “I wish His Majesty King Charles III a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with the British people. Friendships (friendship).’
King Charles and Macron are said to have a “warm relationship” that grew after the French president gave the king a gift after the queen’s death.
The British monarch also speaks French, having learned it at school, and has often visited France in his capacity as a senior royal.
Irish President Michael D. Higgins “is deeply sorry and concerned to hear today’s statement regarding King Charles’ medical diagnosis,” said a statement on his behalf.
“The President, on behalf of the Irish people, has sent his best wishes to King Charles for his medical treatment and for his full recovery, as well as to Queen Camilla and his family.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz sent “prayers and wishes for the full and speedy recovery of the friend of the Jewish people, King Charles.”
Charles, who became king after the death of his 96-year-old mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022, has enjoyed generally good health apart from injuries from polo and skiing.
But the palace said that during his recent hospital procedure for a benign prostate enlargement, “another area of concern was noted.”
“Subsequent diagnostic tests identified a form of cancer,” the palace said in a statement, adding that he had begun treatment but without elaborating on the type of cancer found or how advanced it was.
The palace said the king “remains entirely positive” and “looks forward to returning to his full public duties as soon as possible.”
President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins (seen shaking hands in Northern Ireland in September 2022) “is deeply sorry and concerned to hear today’s statement regarding King Charles’ medical diagnosis,” said a statement on his behalf
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: “I wish His Majesty King Charles III a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with the British people. Friendships (friendship)’
He had been advised by doctors to postpone public duties, but would “continue to conduct state business and official paperwork as usual,” the palace added.
Charles was praised last month for being open about his benign prostate condition, with doctors saying it raised awareness and led to many more members of the public coming forward with symptoms.
He was discharged from a London hospital a week ago after a three-night stay for corrective surgery.
The palace added that the king had chosen to share his cancer diagnosis “to avoid speculation and in the hope that it would increase public understanding for everyone around the world affected by cancer.”
Charles deviated from royal tradition with his openness about his prostate condition. For centuries, the British royal family has remained tight-lipped on health issues.
When British monarchs had real power, news of illness was withheld for fear it would weaken their authority.
The custom of secrecy persisted after royals became constitutional figureheads.
The British public was not told that Charles’s grandfather, King George VI, had lung cancer before his death in February 1952 at the age of 56, and some historians have claimed that the king himself was not told he was terminally ill.
In the last years of Elizabeth’s life, the public was only told that the Queen suffered from ‘mobility problems’.
The cause of death was simply stated on the death certificate as ‘old age’.
Pat Price, founder of the Catch Up With Cancer campaign, said millions shared the “collective concern” for the king’s health, but praised him for his openness.
“The King’s openness about his battle with cancer is a powerful reminder that one in two of us may be diagnosed with cancer at some point in our lives,” Price said.
The diagnosis will extend the shortage of royals on the front line caused by Charles’ prostate procedure and the almost simultaneous hospital admission of Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Catherine, 42, the wife of Charles’ son and heir apparent Prince William, underwent abdominal surgery at the same hospital where Charles was treated.
She left last Monday on the same day as Charles after a stay of about two weeks and may not return to public duties until the end of March.
The Royal Standard flies over Buckingham Palace after it was announced that Britain’s King Charles has cancer, in London, Great Britain, February 6
A car believed to be carrying Prine Harry arrives at LAX airport on Monday
Her husband William, 41, has also temporarily stepped back from planned engagements to help care for their three children, although he is expected to return to royal duties this week.
At the time of Catherine’s operation, Kensington Palace insisted that her condition was not related to cancer, without elaborating.
The couple’s absence left Queen Camilla, Charles’ 76-year-old second wife, as the most visible face of the royal family.
Prince Harry, meanwhile, said he had spoken to his father and would visit him in Britain, and was heading to London as of Tuesday morning.