King Charles III will deliver a deeply personal message about his cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery in a rare televised address on Friday night at 8pm on Britain’s Channel 4, marking a significant moment in the British monarch’s public communications.
King Charles to give personal message on cancer diagnosis
The pre-recorded message is part of Stand Up To Cancer 2025, a joint campaign with Cancer Research UK, and has been designed to highlight the vital importance of early screening and diagnosis in improving cancer outcomes.
Recorded in the Morning Room at Clarence House at the end of November, the broadcast will see the 77-year-old monarch reflect candidly on the 22 months since he first publicly announced his cancer diagnosis in February 2024, a move that broke with the royal family’s long-standing tradition of keeping personal health matters private.
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Palace officials confirmed that the cancer discovered after treatment for an enlarged prostate was not prostate cancer itself, but did not disclose the exact type, citing medical privacy.
In his forthcoming communication, Charles – who has continued to fulfill institutional obligations throughout his treatment – will highlight the life-saving potential of regular screening and early detection, and share aspects of his personal experiences of treatment and recovery.
The monarch briefly took a break from the public eye following his diagnosis in 2024, but returned to public duties in April 2025 by visiting the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Center in central London, where he met patients and spoke openly about the emotional impact of the diagnosis.
Channel 4’s wider broadcast of Stand Up To Cancer will feature further segments aimed at raising awareness and funds, including a live show presented by broadcaster Davina McCall from Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, which follows the experiences of people undergoing cancer testing and treatment.
King Charles’ decision to speak publicly represents one of the most direct health revelations by a reigning British monarch and comes amid ongoing efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding cancer and promote proactive healthcare. The campaign also coincides with a week of fundraising events and celebrity-led initiatives to support research and community service for people affected by cancer.
By April 2025, Charles had resumed public engagement, meeting with patients and doctors at University Hospital and speaking openly about the emotional shock of receiving the diagnosis. His continued advocacy has helped place a renewed national focus on early detection, access to treatment and breaking down the stigma often associated with cancer diagnoses.
Princess Kate and her journey to recovery from cancer
Princess Kate, Princess of Wales, went public with her cancer diagnosis in March 2024, revealing that the condition was discovered during tests following major abdominal surgery in January of that year.
The surgery was initially thought to be treating a non-cancerous problem, but subsequent tests showed that cancer was present and her medical team recommended preventive chemotherapy – a treatment aimed at reducing the risk of the disease returning after the cancer cells have been surgically removed.
During her recovery, she spoke openly about the ups and downs of life after treatment, describing it as a “roller coaster” and emphasizing the importance of networks of resilience and supportive care. Her gradual return to royal duties has been balanced by a continued focus on recovery and family life, including involvement in community and charity events where she continues to advocate for early detection and awareness among other cancer survivors.
