King Charles makes emotional speech on cancer

King Charles recorded an emotional message about his cancer battle for Stand Up To Cancer and provided a positive update on his treatment.

The King recorded the personal message that was aired as part of the Stand Up To Cancer 2025 joint campaign between Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.

It aired as part of Channel 4’s flagship night of programmes. A live broadcast from a cancer clinic at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge followed.

His Majesty began requesting prayers, “In the midst of this festive period, I just wanted to ask you to join me today in finding a special place in your hearts, and your minds and prayers for the hundreds of thousands of people across our United Kingdom who receive a cancer diagnosis each year – and for the millions more who love and care for them.”

He revealed his cancer diagnosis was “overwhelming” and stressed that “early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams – and, to their patients, the precious gift of hope.”

His Majesty also revealed good news regarding his diagnosis.

The King announced that “thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders’, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the New Year. This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years; testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the fifty per cent of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives.”

Regarding his treatment, Buckingham Palace revealed, “His Majesty has responded exceptionally well to treatment, and his doctors advise that ongoing measures will now move into a precautionary phase. This position will be continuously monitored and reviewed to protect and prioritise his continued recovery. As The King has said, this milestone on his recovery journey is ‘a great personal blessing’.”

The week-long campaign began on 5 December.

Stand Up To Cancer launched an online screen checker to help users determine which breast, bowel and cervical screening programmes they could be eligible for and provides trusted information from Cancer Research UK. The website can be found here.