On Thursday, King Charles III delivered his inaugural public address since his daughter-in-law, Kate, the Princess of Wales, disclosed her cancer treatment.
During a prerecorded Easter speech played at a Maundy Thursday service in Worcester Cathedral, the monarch emphasized the significance of friendship, particularly during challenging times.
"In our nation, we are fortunate to have various support services dedicated to our well-being," stated the king in an audio excerpt aired within the cathedral, situated beyond Birmingham, to the north of London. "Yet, beyond these organizations and their dedicated personnel, we greatly value those who offer us the hand of friendship, especially when we are in need."
Although not explicitly mentioning Kate Middleton, he initiated the address with a biblical verse, underscoring that Easter services serve as a reminder "to follow Christ’s example ‘not to be served but to serve.'"
Due to undergoing treatment for an undisclosed cancer type, Charles was unable to attend the customary Maundy Thursday service, where the monarch traditionally distributes symbolic monetary gifts, known as "Maundy money," to local residents in recognition of their charitable endeavors.
Queen Camilla represented Charles at the event, according to reports from the BBC.
These remarks marked the king's first public comments since Kate's unexpected announcement about her health last week, according to a source.
On March 22, the king and the princess had lunch together before Kate revealed through a social media video that she was undergoing preventive chemotherapy for an unspecified cancer type, a Kensington Palace source informed NBC News.
"This shared experience will undoubtedly strengthen the already warm bond between the king and his cherished daughter-in-law," remarked Emily Nash, royal editor at Hello magazine, during an appearance on YEPPOST on March 25.
Following the video's release, Charles issued a statement through a Buckingham Palace spokesperson expressing his pride in Catherine's bravery for speaking out. This message of support was part of a global outpouring of solidarity for the Princess of Wales.
"I believe for both her and the king, the overwhelming support and well-wishes for their swift recovery have been incredibly uplifting," remarked Charles' nephew, Peter Phillips, in an interview with Sky News Australia.
Kate, aged 42, had become the subject of numerous online conspiracy theories and speculations for weeks. Her absence from public view followed Kensington Palace's announcement of her undergoing "planned abdominal surgery" in January.
According to sources speaking to NBC News, Kate personally crafted her message and opted to deliver it via video rather than issue a statement.
In her address released on Friday, Kate conveyed that her surgery had been successful, but medical advice had led to "a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I’m now in the early stages of that treatment.”
Dr. Ben Ho Park, director of precision oncology at Vanderbilt School of Medicine, explained to YEPPOST.com on March 22 that preventative chemotherapy typically involves treatment following initial interventions aimed at preventing cancer recurrence.
Buckingham Palace announced on Wednesday that Charles would attend the royal family's Easter service at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Sunday.
However, Kate and her husband, Prince William, will be absent as she continues her treatment. The family of five is presently at their countryside residence in Norfolk, England, as noted by NBC royal contributor Katie Nicholl.
"This news naturally came as a significant shock, and William and I have been navigating this privately to safeguard our young family," expressed Kate in her video message. "We've taken our time to explain everything to George, Charlotte, and Louis in a manner suitable for their understanding and to reassure them of my well-being."
The palace disclosed on Feb. 5 that Charles had been diagnosed with cancer following a procedure for prostate enlargement. Though the specific type of cancer was not disclosed, officials confirmed it wasn't prostate cancer.
Nicholl mentioned on YEPPOST Monday that palace sources indicated the king was "responding really well to treatment" and was in "high spirits." She anticipated a "somewhat subdued Easter service" this year due to the king's health.