News presenters last night put on a brave face as they told the nation His Majesty the King had been diagnosed with cancer and will be stepping back from public-facing duties while undergoing treatment.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the King’s health update in an official statement which was read out across the channels including on BBC, Sky, and ITV.
The BBC said the news had come as a ‘huge shock,’ with their royal correspondent saying it had come ‘so early on in his reign’.
Charles’ statement said he remained ‘wholly positive about his treatment’ as reports revealed Queen Camilla is expected to carry on with full public duties in the meantime.
Here is how the news was reported by different broadcasters.
Presenter Jane Hill read out the Palace’s official statement before introducing their royal correspondent Daniella Relph
Krishnan Guru-Murthy told Channel 4 viewers: ‘Good evening from Buckingham Palace, where we have received the news in the last hour that King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer’
‘Buckingham Palace has released a statement about the health of the King,’ Sky viewers were told by presenter Mark Austin
His Majesty has commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties
The BBC told viewers of the News at Six they’d received ‘breaking news from Buckingham Palace which has announced that the King has been diagnosed with cancer.’
Presenter Jane Hill read out the Palace’s official statement before introducing their royal correspondent Daniella Relph and saying while the news was announced with a note of optimism, it was nonetheless a ‘huge shock’.
Ms Relph agreed ‘yes on a personal level clearly for the King, for the Queen and for the wider royal family, this will be a shock, coming so early on, just 17 months into his reign he is now facing such a serious health challenge.’
She said it was ‘clearly a difficult period of time now for the King and the wider royal family.’
The correspondent also said the King would be carrying on with his audience with the Prime Minister, but that Camilla and Prince William would take on some of his duties.
‘This has been a difficult month for the royal family, there’s no getting away from that,’ Ms Relph said.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy told Channel 4 viewers: ‘Good evening from Buckingham Palace, where we have received the news in the last hour that King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer and will be stepping back from public facing duties during his treatment.’
The presenter then read out the official statement from the Palace, before highlighting that it had not been specified what sort of cancer the King is being treated for.
‘The King, who returned from London to Sandringham today to start his treatment, is reported to be looking forward to returning to public duty as soon as possible.
‘When he was Prince of Wales, the King was a patron of a number of cancer-related charities,’ Mr Guru-Murthy said.
The presenter revealed the Queen was expected to carry on with full public duties, and that the Duke of Sussex would be coming to the UK to see his father.
ITV News’ segment on the King’s diagnosis, which was announced yesterday
Sky News also began their report yesterday evening with the breaking news.
‘Buckingham Palace has released a statement about the health of the King,’ viewers were told by presenter Mark Austin, before the statement in full was read out and a new photograph of the King released by the Palace was shown.
Over on ITV News, the programme opened with: ‘Good evening, we come on air tonight with some important news about the health of the King.
‘Buckingham Palace has just announced that King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer.’
Buckingham Palace said in a statement last night: ‘During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.
‘His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.
‘The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure.
‘He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
‘His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.’
The King also apologised for having to postpone his upcoming engagements.
A spokesman added: ‘Regrettably, a number of the King’s forthcoming public engagements will have to be rearranged or postponed.
‘His Majesty would like to apologise to all those who may be disappointed or inconvenienced as a consequence.’