Rishi Sunak tonight wished King Charles a ‘full and speedy recovery’ after he was diagnosed with a form of cancer.
The Prime Minister said he had ‘no doubt’ the monarch would be ‘back to full strength in no time’ as well wishes poured in from politicians across the UK.
Buckingham Palace this evening announced the King had begun a schedule of regular treatments and was postponing his public-facing duties.
It is not connected with his recent surgery and is not prostate cancer, although the Palace declined to confirm the type of cancer.
Medics spotted the ‘separate issue of concern’ when Charles underwent his medical procedure for an enlarged prostate.
Rishi Sunak, pictured with King Charles in November last year, wished the monarch a ‘full and speedy recovery’ after he was diagnosed with a form of cancer
The Prime Minister said he had ‘no doubt’ the monarch would be ‘back to full strength in no time’
Mr Sunak’s immediate predecessors as PM – Liz Truss and Boris Johnson – also sent their wishes to the monarch
Mr Sunak posted on Twitter/X: ‘Wishing His Majesty a full and speedy recovery.
‘I have no doubt he’ll be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will be wishing him well.’
Mr Sunak’s immediate predecessors as PM – Liz Truss and Boris Johnson – also sent their wishes to the monarch.
Ms Truss tweeted: ‘Sending every best wish to His Majesty The King and the Royal Family as he undergoes his treatment for cancer.
‘He will be in our thoughts and prayers. God Save The King!’
And Mr Johnson wrote: ‘The whole country will be rooting for the King today. Best wishes to Charles III for a full and speedy recovery.’
Sir Keir Starmer issued a message on behalf of Labour, posting: ‘On behalf of the Labour Party, I wish His Majesty all the very best for his recovery.
‘We look forward to seeing him back to swift full health.’
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey wrote: ‘The Liberal Democrats join the rest of the nation in wishing a full and quick recovery to His Majesty.’
Former Labour PM Sir Tony Blair said: ‘Wishing His Majesty the King a full, swift recovery and return to excellent good health.’
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, made a short statement to MPs shortly after the announcement from Buckingham Palace at six o’clock
Sir Keir Starmer, pictured with the King at St James Palace in June last year, wished His Majesty ‘all the very best for his recovery’
The Labour leader said his party looked forward to seeing the monarch ‘back to swift full health’
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, made a short statement to MPs shortly after the announcement from Buckingham Palace at six o’clock.
Sir Lindsay told the chamber: ‘I know the whole House will wish to join me in expressing our sympathies with His Majesty following the news announced this evening.
‘Our thoughts are, of course, with His Majesty The King and his family and we all wish to send him our very best wishes for successful treatment and a speedy recovery following tonight’s news.’
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf said his ‘thoughts and prayers are with His Majesty The King’.
‘I wish him the very best for a speedy recovery and return to public life,’ the SNP leader added.
‘My thoughts are also with Her Majesty The Queen and other Members of the Royal Family at what I know will be a worrying time for them all.’
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was ‘saddened to hear the news’ that Charles was ‘facing further health challenges’.
‘My thoughts and those of people across Wales will be with him and his family this evening,’ he tweeted.
‘I send my very best wishes as he starts treatment for a full and swift recovery. Gwellhad buan.’
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf said his ‘thoughts and prayers are with His Majesty The King’.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was ‘saddened to hear the news’ that Charles was ‘facing further health challenges’.
Northern Ireland’s newly-installed First Minister Michelle O’Neill wished the King a ‘full and speedy recovery’
Northern Ireland’s newly-installed First Minister Michelle O’Neill wished the King a ‘full and speedy recovery’.
‘I am very sorry to hear of King Charles’ illness and I want to wish him well for his treatment, and a full and speedy recovery,’ the Sinn Fein politician posted.
Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she was praying for the King.
‘I would like to wish His Majesty, King Charles all the the very best for his treatment,’ the DUP politician said.
‘I, like many people throughout Northern Ireland, will keep him and his family in my prayers.’
The King was also praised for making his diagnosis public.
Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins wrote on X: ‘My thoughts are with King Charles and the whole Royal Family.
‘His decision to share his diagnosis to assist public understanding for all those affected by cancer is commendable.
‘Wishing His Majesty the very best and look forward to seeing him resume his public duties.’
Labour’s shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, who received treatment for kidney cancer in 2021, said: ‘One in two of us will develop cancer during our lives, but millions more are affected when someone they love is diagnosed with cancer.
‘Sending best wishes to His Majesty for his treatment and to his family as they support him throughout.’