Rishi Sunak wishes King Charles a ‘full and speedy recovery’ after his cancer diagnosis
RISHI Sunak wished the King “a full and speedy recovery” tonight.
The Prime Minister said: “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.”
Ex-PM Boris Johnson said: “The whole country will be rooting for the King today.”
Fellow former Premier Liz Truss added: “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!”
What we know so far:
- The King has been diagnosed with a form of cancer
- Prince Harry is flying to the UK to support his father
- The King personally called his siblings and children to tell them
- He is receiving expert care from specialist doctors
- His Majesty returned from Sandringham to London to begin treatment today
- Doctors advised the King to postpone public-facing Royal duties
- Camilla is preparing to play an important role supporting the King
- Charles will continue to receive Red Boxes and State documents during his treatment
- The King will continue to meet the Prime Minister for a weekly audience
Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “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.”
Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt said the King “will meet this news with duty, courage and cheerfulness.
“As the statement shows, he will be thinking of others.”
She added: “I join with the many sending him good wishes for his treatment.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told MPs: “I know the whole House will wish to join me in expressing our sympathies with His Majesty the King following the news announcement this evening.
“Our thoughts are, of course, with His Majesty and his family, and we’d all wish to send him our very best wishes for the successful treatment and a speedy recovery following tonight’s news.”
US State department spokesman Vedant Patel says the diagnosis is “incredibly sad news”.
US President Joe Biden said he is “concerned” about the King and plans to call him later.
Former president Donald Trump said the King was “a wonderful man, who I got to know well during my presidency. We all pray he has a fast and full recovery.”
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who is a cancer survivor, said: “We pray it has been caught early enough for him to continue his remarkable life of service to our country.”
ROYAL OPERATIONS
How the King and Kate's respective health battles unfolded:
Tuesday, January 16: Kate, 42, is secretly admitted to the London Clinic and undergoes abdominal surgery.
Wednesday, January 17: Kensington Palace announces the princess’ operation and says she will remain in the private hospital for 10-14 days.
Over an hour later, Buckingham Palace announces the King, 75, is to have treatment for a benign enlarged prostate and will be admitted to hospital in a few days.
Thursday, January 18: Prince William spends time at his wife’s bedside, driving himself away from the back entrance during the low-key, private visit.
The Queen says the King is “fine” and “looking forward to getting back to work” during a visit to the Aberdeen Art Gallery
Friday, January 19: The King flies back from Scotland with the Queen and heads to his Sandringham estate in Norfolk to rest ahead of the procedure.
Monday, January 22: The Queen tells 86-year-old well-wisher Jessie Jackson that the King is “fine”, and thanks her for asking, while she carries out engagements in Swindon.
Camilla urges the King to take it easy. An insider told The Sun: “The Queen has told him he needs to slow down a bit.”
Thursday, January 25: The King arrives back in London from Sandringham ready for his treatment.
Friday, January 26: The King is admitted to the London Clinic for treatment for an enlarged prostate and also visits the Princess of Wales, who is recovering in the same hospital.
Sunday, January 28: Queen Camilla arrives for her fourth visit on Charles’ third day in hospital.
Monday, January 29: King Charles leaves hospital.
Sunday, February 4: Charles seen waving as he walks to church at Sandringham