It has been revealed that the King, who was diagnosed with cancer last year, has sent a private letter to former US president Joe Biden, who announced he is now battling the disease
The King has written privately to Joe Biden to lend his support after the former US president was diagnosed with the disease. Charles, who is still undergoing his own treatment for an undisclosed cancer, sent his best wishes to Mr Biden in the wake of his health news.
Mr Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer on Friday, with tests revealing the cancer had spread to his bones. The King hosted the then-American leader for tea and talks at Windsor in July 2023, with a spokesman for the monarch saying the relationship between the pair had been “extremely cordial”.
Mr Biden also attended Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, and, in 2021, he and Charles, then the Prince of Wales, held a bilateral meeting during the Cop-26 summit in Glasgow. When the King was diagnosed with cancer at the start of 2024, Mr Biden expressed his concern.
Mr Biden, who is six years older than the 76-year-old King, told reporters at the time: “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.”
Last week, the King spoke candidly about his own cancer treatment, saying he would like to think he is on the “better side” of his journey. Charles made the comment to a former cancer patient he met during an away-day with the Queen to Bradford.
Florist Safeena Khan spoke to Charles when he visited Impact Hub Yorkshire to meet local business owners supporting diverse communities in Bradford, and she presented the King with a bouquet inspired by the garden of his Highgrove home.
After chatting to Charles, Ms Khan said: “He asked me how I was, and I asked him how he was. There was some pleasantries towards the end, but it was a lovely conversation.”
The King undergoes regular treatment as an out-patient at the London Clinic, and the Bradford florist said he gave her the “thumbs up” when she asked about his health, and told her: “I’d like to think I’m on the better side (of my cancer journey)”.
Meanwhile, in his first message on social media since the medical announcement, Mr Biden thanked people for their love and support.
He wrote: “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
Prostate cancer is assigned a Gleason score, which ranges from two to 10 and indicates how abnormal the cancer cells are when compared to healthy tissue under a microscope. Mr Biden’s office reported his score was nine, suggesting a highly aggressive form of the disease.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” a statement from Mr Biden’s office read.