Charles vows to serve ‘to the best of my ability’ in new video after cancer diagnosis
King Charles has pledged to serve the Commonwealth ‘to the best of my ability’ in his first video message since his cancer diagnosis.
The monarch, 75, has recorded a short message for Commonwealth Day which celebrates the Commonwealth of Nations, mainly former British territories.
Since his diagnosis was revealed early last month, the king has postponed all public-facing engagements.
Queen Camilla will attend a Westminster Abbey service instead followed by a reception at the Commonwealth’s international headquarters.
His address, which will be shown in full this afternoon to attendees, will stress how ‘diversity’ is the ‘strength’ of the 56 Commonwealth nations.
The ‘family of free and independent nations’, the monarch will add, is a ‘precious source of strength, inspiration and pride’.
‘In recent weeks, I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth,’ the King will say.
He added: ‘My belief in our shared endeavours and in the potential of our people remains as sure and strong as it has ever been.
‘I have no doubt that we will continue to support one another across the Commonwealth as, together, we continue this vital journey.’
Prince William will also join today’s service, though Kate Middleton will be absent as she recovers from abdominal surgery.
Other senior royals including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent will also attend.
The service recognises the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth, with the king also using his speech to highlight the continued upheaval caused by climate change.
‘As I have said before, the Commonwealth is like the wiring of a house, and its people, our energy and our ideas are the current that runs through those wires,’ he’ll say in the clip.
‘Together and individually we are strengthened by sharing perspectives and experiences, and by offering and borrowing the myriad ways we have each tackled the challenges of our time.
‘This is true both at the level of nations and, indeed, at the local level. We recognise today that our diversity is our greatest strength.’
‘Wherever we live, we are united by the many challenges we face, whether it be climate change, the loss of nature, or the social and economic changes that new technologies are bringing,’ the speech will add.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.