King Charles III made a public appearance at an Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle as he battles cancer, while Prince William, Prince of Wales and his wife Kate Middleton stayed home.
The 75-year-old monarch arrived at St. George’s Chapel accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla. Charles III was photographed greeting the clergy and waving to the assembled crowd before entering the church. It was his first major public appearance since he announced his diagnosis.
The king and queen were seated away from other parishioners to minimize exposure to potential infection, per People. Still, the king interacted with congregation members after exiting the church, shaking hands and thanking them for well wishes. He reportedly said, “I’m doing my best!” when one person bid him to “Get well!”
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby mentioned the king in his Sunday sermon, per NBC News. “In each of our lives there are moments which change us forever,” Welby said. “Sometimes it’s individual. We have watched, sympathized with and felt alongside the dignity of the king and the Princess of Wales as they have talked of their cancer — and in doing so, by their lack of selfishness, by their grace and their faith, boosted so many others.”
The monarch has not disclosed what kind of cancer he has or what stage, only revealing that he is undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Royal followers are reeling as Charles’ daughter-in-law, Kate, is also now going through treatment for cancer.
While the king did not directly address this during a pre-recorded Maundy Thursday speech read at Worcester Cathedral, listeners believe he was referring to his family’s current health struggles.
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During the speech, Charles said Jesus set an “example of how we should serve and care for each other” and how “we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need.”
The Princess of Wales shocked fans last month when she broke her silence after weeks of speculation about her condition and whereabouts. “It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful,” Middleton said in a video message, confirming that cancer “was present” and that she was undergoing “preventative chemotherapy.”
Similarly, King Charles’ cancer was reportedly detected during an unrelated procedure.