King Charles thanks well-wishers after cancer diagnosis

Britain's King Charles III on Saturday expressed his "heartfelt thanks" to well-wishers, in his first statement since his shock announcement that he has cancer.

The note was published on the monarch's website and the royal family's official page on social media platform X.Charles added that it is "equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organizations which support cancer patients and their families across the UK and wider world."

Charles has taken an indefinite break from public duties while he receives treatment and is currently staying at the royal country residence of Sandringham in England.He is continuing some administrative duties and held his weekly audience with the prime minister via phone this week.