Charles III Announces the "Good News" of a Reduction in His Cancer Treatment
Nearly two years after revealing his cancer diagnosis, King Charles III announced on Friday a "good news" in his battle against the disease, which will allow him to follow a "reduced treatment plan" in 2026, in a pre-recorded television message.
The six-minute message, recorded at the end of November, was broadcast during a public television program on Channel 4 aimed at encouraging cancer prevention and raising funds for research.
"This turning point is both a personal blessing and an illustration of the remarkable advances made in cancer treatment in recent years. I hope it gives courage to the 50% of us who will be diagnosed with this disease at some point in our lives," emphasized the 77-year-old monarch.
He also encouraged Britons to undergo screening tests as early as possible to maximize their chances of recovery.
Charles III expressed that he was "deeply troubled" to learn that "at least nine million people in our country are not getting the screening tests offered to them."
"That’s at least nine million missed opportunities for early diagnosis," he added. "Screening saves lives, plain and simple," he insisted.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised this "powerful message" from the monarch, who ascended to the throne in September 2022.
"I know I speak for the whole country when I say I am pleased that his cancer treatment will be reduced next year," Mr. Starmer stated.
End of a Taboo
The king, who announced on February 5, 2024, that he was suffering from cancer without revealing its nature, did not provide further details on Friday.
In his message, he mentioned bowel cancer twice, but royal sources stressed that there should be no "personal link" to his illness.
The announcement in early 2024 by the palace regarding Charles's cancer detection, occurring during a procedure related to prostate enlargement, ended a taboo: historically, monarchs remained silent about their health status.
The following month, Princess Kate also announced that she had cancer, again without specifying its nature. In January 2025, she announced that she was in remission.
For Charles, the palace clarified in February 2024 that he had begun "a program of regular treatments," during which he would abstain from public events but continue to work from home.
Two months later, in April 2024, he resumed public outings, visiting a cancer treatment center in London, accompanied by Queen Camilla. In a conversation with a patient, he spoke about the "shock" he felt upon receiving his diagnosis.
His doctors had then expressed that they were "very encouraged by his progress."
"I'm on the right track"
In March 2025, the king was briefly hospitalized after experiencing "side effects" from his cancer treatment. This incident was referred to at the time as a "minor setback" by a royal source.
And in May, during an outing in Bradford, Charles, when asked by a florist about his health, responded with a thumbs-up, commenting: "I’d like to believe I’m on the right track."
In recent months, Charles has participated in numerous ceremonies—especially receiving Donald Trump for a state visit—and travels, primarily within the UK but also to Canada in May and the Vatican in October for a historic prayer with Pope Leo XIV.
As the oldest person to access the British throne at the age of 73, he seems determined to share his experience with illness and to thank medical staff at every opportunity.
A cancer diagnosis is "impressive and sometimes frightening," he wrote in April in a letter of thanks to British charities.
On Friday, he reiterated that such a diagnosis can be "overwhelming."