King Charles attends church, breaks silence after cancer diagnosis and thanks public for support

King Charles has attended church for the first time since his cancer diagnosis.

Walking alongside his wife, Camilla, and holding an umbrella, Charles arrived at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Sunday morning.

It comes after Buckingham Palace said the King, who acceded to the throne 17 months ago, has a “form of cancer”.

He was diagnosed after a “separate issue of concern was noted” and was investigated while he was being treated for a benign enlarged prostate.

The 75-year-old King was seen in public for the first time since his diagnosis on Tuesday as he left his London residence Clarence House the day after starting his treatment, following a brief reunion with son Harry, pictured.

Charles has postponed all public-facing duties, but is continuing with behind- the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers.

But on Saturday the King thanked people for their “many messages of support and good wishes” and said it was “equally heartening” to hear how sharing his diagnosis has helped to promote public understanding of cancer.

King Charles has thanked people for their “many messages of support and good wishes” as he spoke publicly for the first time since the shock announcement of his cancer diagnosis.

He said it was “equally heartening” to hear how sharing his diagnosis had helped promote understanding of cancer.

In a message to the public, the King said: “I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days. As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.

“It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organisations which support cancer patients and their families across the UK and wider world.

“My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience. Charles R.”

Buckingham Palace confirmed the King, who only acceded to the throne 17 months ago, does not have prostate cancer. However, there has been no further information regarding the exact nature of the disease.

He was diagnosed after a “separate issue of concern was noted” and was investigated while he was being treated for his benign enlarged prostate.

The palace has called for the King’s privacy to be respected but said he wanted to make his diagnosis public because of his long-running support for cancer charities.

Medical professionals from different groups have commended the King’s candour over his health.

Chiara De Biase, director of support and influencing at Prostate Cancer UK, highlighted a 500 per cent increase in people coming to the charity’s website for information in the week following the King’s announcement of his enlarged prostate condition in January.

The King was seen in public for the first time since his cancer diagnosis on Tuesday as he left Clarence House the day after starting his treatment, following a brief reunion with the Duke of Sussex.

Charles has postponed all public-facing duties, but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of State papers.

The King is continuing to rest at the Norfolk estate where he has been based since leaving hospital after his prostate surgery.

In some ways it remains business as usual. On Sunday, he was expected to attend the morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church, where he was pictured with Queen Camilla, 76, a day before his cancer diagnosis was announced. Friends of the “workaholic” monarch say he will likely be indulging in two of his favourite hobbies — walking and water painting.

It is understood the King will return to London for a couple of days at the start of this week for a medical appointment and it has been reported that he is well enough to hold face-to-face meetings.

— PA