King Charles breaks silence following shock cancer diagnosis: 'Sorry'

King Charles has broken his silence days after his shock cancer diagnosis. Buckingham Palace confirmed on Tuesday (Australia time) that Charles was diagnosed during his recent hospital visit for an enlarged prostate, however, they added that the treatment wasn't related to the cancer.

Charles is now recuperating at Sandringham after his first round of treatment, sharing a statement saying "how sorry" he was for not being able to attend a major event in Grenada, a Caribbean nation of which His Majesty is head of state.

Grenada is celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence from the UK, and Charles was expected to visit for the occasion.

"I can only say how sorry I am that I cannot be with you in person to mark this momentous milestone, and to enjoy a little oil down with you all!" he said, referencing the Grenadian staple of a salted meat and vegetable stew, called oil down.

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Charles last visited Grenada with Queen Camilla in 2019, saying he has "special memories" of their time there.

"My thoughts are with everyone across Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique – ‘one people, one family’ – as you celebrate everything you have achieved and all that your future holds," he said. "My family join me in sending our heartfelt congratulations to you all."

Prince William thanks well-wishers

It comes after Prince William addressed both his father's ill health and his wife Kate Middleton's recent abdominal surgery.

William returned to work this week after taking time off from public-facing duties to be with Kate while she recovers.

Speaking at London's Air Ambulance charity, he said: "I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days – it means a great deal to us all."

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"It’s fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather ‘medical’ focus … So I thought I’d come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all!"

William previously worked as an air ambulance pilot and has been a patron of the organisation since 2020.

Tom Cruise was also in attendance at the event.

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