King Charles' goddaughter India Hicks sends her 'thoughts and prayers' to the monarch following his cancer diagnosis
King Charles' goddaughter has sent her 'thoughts and prayers' to her godfather following the announcement of his cancer diagnosis.
India Hicks, the daughter of Pamela Hicks who splits her time between the Bahamas and Britain, posted a childhood photo on Instagram to send a message to the monarch who started cancer treatment yesterday.
In the photo, which is not dated, designer India appears to be about eight to 10 years old and is beaming on what appears to be a patio outside a house. Meanwhile, her godfather Charles, a young man, is a father figure who has his hands on her shoulders.
The king, now 74, was diagnosed with cancer after a “worrying problem” was noticed during a routine procedure he had to undergo last month to treat an enlarged prostate.
Buckingham Palace released a statement on Monday evening confirming that the king has begun outpatient treatment for cancer – the exact nature of which has not been specified.
King Charles' goddaughter India Hicks, 56, has paid tribute to the monarch on Instagram as she sends her 'thoughts and prayers' to him following his cancer diagnosis
India, 56, is the daughter of Lady Pamela Hicks and the granddaughter of Louis and Edwina Mountbatten.
Both India and her mother have attended numerous royal events over the years, including Queen Elizabeth's funeral.
When she was 12 years old, India was also a bridesmaid at Charles and Diana's wedding in 1981.
She was not invited to King Charles' coronation in May 2023, but arrived in London for the celebrations anyway.
India, based between the Bahamas and Britain, has long praised its godfather as 'thoughtful', 'patient' and noble
King Charles pictured on Sunday, the day before he started cancer treatment, walking with Queen Camilla to St Mry Magdalene Church in Sandringham
She shared a never-before-seen photo of her godfather on Instagram at the time, saying he was “thoughtful” by nature.
She wrote: 'Talking on TV today about @princestrust, the remarkable man behind it, and a very thoughtful, very patient godfather (to an annoying five year old India)'
Her visit to Britain came after she posted a photo of herself on Instagram with a caption praising King Charles' invitations to the coronation, which are based on “meritocracy”, as she failed to make the list.
During a TV appearance on an Australian channel where she commented on the coronation, she donned a chic cream dress and matching tweed jacket by Nina Morris as she chatted to the channel about preparations for the coronation weekend.
On her jacket she wore a gold brooch with a diamond, which she revealed belonged to her mother.
She also posted a video of horses and a carriage driving down a Westminster street and joked: “The traffic was interesting.”
Buckingham Palace announced in a statement on Monday evening that King Charles is undergoing cancer treatment.
It read: 'During the King's recent hospital procedure for a benign prostate enlargement, another area of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests identified a form of cancer.
His Majesty today began a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone duties in public.
During this period, His Majesty will continue to conduct state affairs and official paperwork as usual.
The King is grateful to his medical team for their quick intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains completely positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to his full public role as soon as possible.
His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to avoid speculation and in the hope that it can increase public understanding for all those affected by cancer around the world.”