LONDON — King Charles III attended the Easter service at Windsor Castle's chapel. It was his first major event since being diagnosed with cancer in February.
Prince Charles, 75, attended the annual traditional event at the Gothic-style St George's Chapel with Queen Camilla and other members of the royal family.
The king's public appearance would be a timely boost for a royal family that has been plagued by illness and media speculation. But Prince William and Duchess Kate's absence after they announced their cancer diagnosis was a reminder that the royal family's ranks remain depleted.
Although Charles is undergoing regular medical treatment and has withdrawn from public life on medical advice, he continues to carry out many of his duties in private.
Officials have not disclosed what form or stage of cancer he has.
On Thursday, he spoke publicly for the first time since Kate was announced as the second senior royal to be diagnosed with cancer, stressing the importance of friendship “especially in times of need.”
The pre-recorded audio message was heard during a traditional Maundy Thursday service at Worcester Cathedral in the city of the same name, about 130 miles northwest of London.
Charles said Jesus taught him “how we should serve and look out for one another,” and “that we need others to extend a hand of friendship, especially in times of need, and that we can benefit greatly from it.” He said that he had set an example for him to “understand the consequences.”
Although he did not directly address his daughter-in-law's health or name her in a short private message, some royal watchers placed his words in the context of the ongoing family health crisis. interpreted.
The king's communications team also released a new photo of the smiling monarch, who appears to be sitting at a desk in an 18th-century room at Buckingham Palace, recording a speech into a microphone.
Charles said he has been touched by the outpouring of messages and cards from well-wishers from across the UK and abroad as he undergoes treatment for cancer.
In a statement after revealing her diagnosis last Friday, Kate said spending time together in hospital had brought her closer to her daughter-in-law. He added that the King was “very proud of Duchess Kate's courageous statement.”
Kate said in a video statement that she was undergoing “preventative chemotherapy” on the advice of her medical team.
She has not revealed what type of cancer she has or at what stage it was discovered, and the couple's royal family, Kensington Palace, has not revealed why she needed surgery.
Inside the palace doors, the shock of her diagnosis was “immeasurable,” NBC News royal contributor Katie Nicholl told “TODAY” on Friday.
“Kate's cancer diagnosis remained within a very, very limited group of people,” Nichol said. “It was William, it was the King, it was Camilla, and of course Kate's family. But I know that Queen Camilla knew and she didn't even tell her own children.”
Prince William, Kate and their children (George, 10, Charlotte, 8, and Louis, 5) attended last year's Easter Sunday service, but Kate did not attend a private ceremony announcing her diagnosis. He asked for privacy in a video message.
