Global leaders send support to King Charles after cancer diagnosis

US President Joe Biden has said he is “concerned” about King Charles after learning of his cancer diagnosis, as world leaders expressed sympathy and wished the monarch a speedy recovery.

The King is being treated for cancer after his recent operation for an enlarged prostate revealed an unconnected form of the disease.

Buckingham Palace said on Monday evening that the disease was discovered during the 75-year-old monarch’s hospital stay late last month for treatment.

Mr Biden, when asked whether he had a message for King Charles during a visit to Las Vegas, responded: “I’m concerned about him. Just heard about his diagnosis. I’ll be talking to him, God willing.”

He later tweeted: “Navigating a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship takes hope and absolute courage.

“Jill and I join the people of the United Kingdom in praying that His Majesty experiences a swift and full recovery.”

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was thinking of King Charles.

He posted on X: “I, like Canadians across the country and people around the world, am thinking of His Majesty King Charles III as he undergoes treatment for cancer. We’re sending him our very best wishes – and hoping for a fast and full recovery.”

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he wished the King a “speedy recovery”.

He wrote in a statement posted on X: “Australians know that His Majesty King Charles has always reached out to us in our country’s toughest moments, showing kindness and care for those doing it tough.

“All of us are thinking of him and his family in this very hard time.”

King Charles and Queen Camilla were expected to visit Canada in May, and Australia, New Zealand and Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October. It is not yet known if any of those trips will be postponed.

Former US President and current Republican frontrunner, Donald Trump, described the King as a “wonderful man”.

In a post on his Truth Social platform he wrote: “King Charles has cancer.

“He is a wonderful man, who I got to know well during my presidency, and we all pray that he has a fast and full recovery!”

French President Emmanuel Macron also wished the King a quick recovery, writing: “Wishing His Majesty King Charles III a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with the British people. Amities.”

In a statement, Ireland’s president Michael D Higgins said he was “sorry and concerned” over the diagnosis.

“The president has sent his best wishes on behalf of the people of Ireland to King Charles for his medical treatment and for his full recovery, as well as to Queen Camilla and his family,” it said.

Buckingham Palace said King Charles was looking forward to “returning to full public duty as soon as possible”, but that he had been advised to postpone “public-facing duties” while he receives care.

The Palace declined to confirm the type of cancer but said the King remains “wholly positive about his treatment”.