King Charles III has written a heartfelt message to U.S. President Joe Biden, expressing his support and best wishes following Biden’s recent cancer diagnosis, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Monday.
The 82-year-old American leader was diagnosed on Friday with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, receiving a Gleason score of nine, the highest on the scale, indicating a rapidly progressing disease. According to a statement from his office, the cancer has spread to his bones but remains hormone-sensitive, allowing for treatment options that could help manage the condition.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” the statement said.
King Charles, who is himself undergoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer, sent the personal message to President Biden over the weekend. The Palace did not disclose the contents of the letter, but sources describe it as warm and empathetic, reflective of their personal rapport and shared experiences with illness.
President Biden took to social media on Monday to acknowledge the outpouring of support he has received since the announcement.
“Cancer touches us all,” he wrote. “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.”
The bond between the two leaders has deepened in recent years. Biden met with King Charles, then Prince of Wales, during the COP26 summit in Glasgow in 2021, attended Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, and shared tea with the monarch at Windsor Castle in July 2023. Following Charles’ own cancer diagnosis earlier this year, Biden had expressed concern and pledged to reach out personally.
King Charles recently shared a rare public remark about his health, saying during a visit to Bradford that he hoped to be on the “better side” of treatment soon.
Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in both the United Kingdom and the United States. The Gleason scoring system, which ranges from six to ten, helps doctors assess the aggressiveness of the disease, with a score of nine indicating a high-grade, fast-growing cancer.
The messages between the two leaders highlight not only the personal nature of their connection, but also the broader reality that cancer affects people across all walks of life, including those at the highest levels of public service.
Written By Rodney Mbua
