It came after King Charles issued a deeply personal statement, in which he opened up about his ‘daunting and at times frightening’ experience with his own cancer diagnosis. In the poignant message, the King described how living with cancer had brought into ‘sharp focus the very best of humanity,’ but also how the ‘extraordinary work’ of cancer charities had reinforced for him how ‘the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion’. His Majesty encouraged fellow cancer patients to take inspiration from Dame Deborah James, who died from the disease in 2022, quoting her final message to ‘find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope.’
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Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Queen Camilla pose for a photo with Lorraine Kelly and members of the Change + Check Choir during a reception to celebrate the charitable work being undertaken by local and national cancer charities and support organisations at Buckingham Palace
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Elsewhere in the message, the King paid tribute to the researchers, healthcare professionals, volunteers and fundraisers who dedicate themselves to helping those living with cancer, telling them ‘you have my whole family’s deepest admiration and gratitude.’ And indeed, the royal family gathered at Buckingham Palace to show their support for cancer charity representatives, including radio DJ Adele Roberts, former England football players Ashley Cain and actor Richard E Grant.
While the public may be used to seeing the Firm support King Charles at these receptions, especially one so personal to His Majesty, it will have come as a shock to many to see Sarah Ferguson invited to the official engagement. The Duchess is rarely seen at such events, though it is understandable that King Charles sought her attendance: Fergie has been an especially dedicated advocate for cancer charities since she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and skin cancer in 2024, but has spent her life supporting foundations working to cure the disease. She was named a patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust in 1990, worked with the American Cancer Society throughout the noughties, and last year became a patron of Prevent Breast Cancer.