King Charles Says He Has Been ‘Reduced to Tears’ Over Response to His Cancer Diagnosis in Vulnerable Moment

King Charles is back on royal duty!

The king, 75, who is being treated for cancer, met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday afternoon at Buckingham Palace. His face-to-face audience was the first since the monarch revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer.

Despite his cancer, which was discovered while he was being treated for a benign enlarged prostate, King Charles continues with his state duties – but mostly behind the scenes.

Two weeks ago, the king and Sunak exchanged a telephone conversation, which was more of a catch-up than the formal audience that the monarch and prime minister traditionally hold weekly.

On Wednesday, that changed with the publication of photos and videos of King Charles’ meeting with Sunak.

Sunak said it was “wonderful” to see King Charles looking so good, to which the monarch quipped: “It’s all done with mirrors.”

The Prime Minister then said: “Well, we are all behind you. The country is behind you.”

The king said: “I received so many beautiful messages and congratulations. It brought me to tears most of the time.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and King Charles meet at Buckingham Palace on February 21, 2024.

JONATHAN BRADY/POOL/AFP via Getty

A complete timeline of King Charles’ cancer diagnosis and treatment

The Prime Minister and the monarch also spoke about how the King’s cancer news has thrown a spotlight on many vital cancer charities.

“I hear there’s been a lot more attention and interest in those major, wonderful cancer charities, many of which I’ve been a patron of for years,” King said with a laugh.

“They’re doing an amazing job across the country,” Sunak replied.

“They are, they are,” agreed the king.

The meeting followed a meeting of King Charles’ Privy Council earlier in the afternoon.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and King Charles meet at Buckingham Palace on February 21, 2024.

The Royal Family / X

It was Sunak who said shortly after King Charles’ diagnosis that the cancer was “caught early”.

“Obviously, like everyone else, shocked and saddened, and all our thoughts are with him and his family. Fortunately, this was caught early,” Sunak told the BBC Radio Five live on February 6, adding that he hoped the king “will get the treatment he needs and make a full recovery.”

While King Charles has canceled most personal commitments and engagements, the monarch is determined to see him when possible as he copes with the course of his treatment. As in previous weeks, he was joined on Sunday by his wife, Queen Camilla, 76, at church services at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

King Charles has been mostly staying at the royal family’s Sandringham estate since the palace revealed on February 5 that he had been diagnosed with cancer. However, he traveled to London for treatment as well as meetings with palace staff.

King Charles in church on February 18, 2024.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Last week, Prince Harry (39) spoke for the first time about news of his father’s health Good morning AmericaWill Reeve. When asked how he first learned of his father’s cancer diagnosis, the Duke of Sussex said: “I spoke to him. I jumped on a plane and went to see him as soon as I could.”

“Look, I love my family. The fact that I could get on a plane and go see them and spend any time with them, I’m grateful for that,” Prince Harry added.

When asked how he views his father’s health, he said: “That remains between me and him.”

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On Tuesday, Queen Camilla returned to London where she hosted an event highlighting the work of medical detection dogs at her and King Charles’ London home, Clarence House.

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Source: HIS Education