King Charles Seen At Work For First Time Since Cancer Diagnosis, Says Public Support Reduced Him to Tears

UK’s King Charles said during a meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday he had been reduced to tears by messages of good will following his cancer diagnosis. The palace announced earlier this month that the 75-year-old monarch had been diagnosed with a form of cancer, less than 18 months into his reign.

“This afternoon, The King held an Audience with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Buckingham Palace, following a meeting of the Privy Council,” the Royal Family said in a post on X. During his weekly audience with Sunak, Charles said, “I’ve had so many wonderful messages and cards … it’s reduced me to tears most of the time.”

The British monarch holds weekly audiences alone with the prime minister, although occasionally cameras have been allowed to capture the start of the meetings. Wednesday’s meeting is the first formal in-person audience Charles has held with Sunak since it was revealed that he was suffering from an unspecified form of cancer.

Buckingham Palace has said the king will continue to carry out state business and his official paperwork while he undergoes cancer treatment. Sunak began the exchange by telling Charles it was wonderful to see him looking so well. “Well it’s all done by mirrors,” Charles joked.

The monarch greeted Sunak with a handshake upon arrival for the Buckingham Palace audience on Wednesday afternoon. Appearing relaxed in a blue pinstriped suit, the King joined Sunak in the elaborately adorned Audience Room, BBC reported. Despite undergoing treatment, he has ceased public visits but remains committed to his duties as head of state.