King Charles III
King Charles III Samir Hussein/WireImage
King Charles III and Queen Camilla joined the royal's annual church service for Easter despite his ongoing cancer treatments.
On Sunday, March 31, crowds eagerly gathered outside St George’s Chapel in Windsor to show their support and catch a glimpse of the King.
The 75-year-old monarch arrived at the service in his maroon Bentley limousine, looking cheerful as he greeted the crowds with smiles and waves before heading into the chapel.
During the ceremony, the King sat in the "Sovereign's Seat" near the front of the altar, while his family took their usual seats in the stalls. Before the royal family arrived, the Archbishop of Canterbury began his Easter sermon by urging the public to pray for the King and Kate.
King Charles III
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were seen attending the Easter Mattins Service at Windsor Castle on March 31, 2024 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Justin Welby expressed his compassion and sympathy as the princess shared her cancer diagnosis with the world. He acknowledged that there are moments in life that can alter us permanently. Welby offered prayers for the princess and the King, praising their dignified reaction. He also extended his prayers to all individuals enduring similar hardships.
Princess Kate Middleton and Prince William were not present at the event because Kate is currently undergoing cancer treatment and has decided to reduce her public appearances.
The King had a procedure to treat an enlarged prostate in January. In the following month, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles was diagnosed with cancer after a concern was identified during the procedure. The type and stage of Charles's cancer were not disclosed by the palace, but according to royal reporter Omid Scobie, Charles does not have prostate cancer.
The palace announced in February that His Majesty has started a series of regular treatments and has been advised by doctors to delay public appearances. However, he will still carry out state business and official tasks during this time.
Despite the treatment, Charles is maintaining a positive outlook and is eager to resume his full public duties soon. Camilla, 76, has stepped in for Charles at various events while he focuses on recovering.
The statement concluded with the message that His Majesty has decided to share his diagnosis in order to prevent speculation and to help the public understand cancer better.
Days after the announcement, Charles spoke out about his health scare. He expressed his gratitude for the many messages of support and well wishes he had received. He mentioned that these kind thoughts were a great source of comfort and encouragement for anyone who has been affected by cancer.
King Charles III
King Charles III and Queen Camilla Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
He continued, "It is really uplifting to see how sharing my own diagnosis has helped increase public awareness and shed light on the valuable work of organizations that support cancer patients and their families in the U.K. and around the world. My respect for their unwavering care and commitment has grown even more after going through my own personal journey."
Earlier this month, Princess Kate Middleton disclosed that she too is fighting cancer, which was discovered after she had abdominal surgery in January. In response to her diagnosis, Charles praised Kate's strength and resilience.
The palace stated that His Majesty is very proud of Catherine for her bravery in speaking out. Since their time in the hospital, His Majesty has stayed in close contact with his dear daughter-in-law in the weeks that followed. Both Their Majesties will continue to provide love and support to the entire family during this challenging period.
Editor's P/S:
The news of King Charles III's cancer diagnosis and Princess Kate Middleton's subsequent announcement of her own cancer battle has sent shockwaves through the royal family and the world. While it is encouraging to see the King and Queen maintaining a positive outlook, it is also a reminder of the devastating impact that cancer has on countless individuals and their families. Their decision to share their experiences publicly is a testament to their courage and commitment to raising awareness about this prevalent disease.
The Easter service at Windsor Castle was a poignant moment, as the royal family gathered despite the ongoing health challenges faced by King Charles and Princess Kate. The Archbishop of Canterbury's prayers for the King and Kate were a touching gesture of support, reflecting the deep concern and compassion felt by the public. The King's continued determination to carry out his duties, despite his treatment, is a testament to his unwavering sense of duty and resilience. The support and love shown by the royal family, and the prayers and well wishes from around the world, will undoubtedly provide comfort and strength to both King Charles and Princess Kate during this challenging time.