Charles breaks his silence on cancer diagnosis: King expresses his 'very sincere thanks' to the British public for outpourings of support and says he is 'encouraged' to hear his experience is inspiring others to get checked

King Charles has broken his silence on his cancer diagnosis and today expressed his 'sincere thanks' to the British public in a letter.

It was discovered by doctors when the 75-year-old monarch was being treated for an enlarged prostate and was announced on Monday, but his specific diagnosis remains unknown.

The royal has been living in Sandringham since leaving the London Clinic in the capital, where he stayed for three nights and left on January 29.

The letter, released today, features a distinctive red Sandringham House letterhead and is signed 'Charles R'.

It reads: 'I would like to express my sincere thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days.

'As anyone affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.

'It is equally encouraging to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped to promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organizations supporting cancer patients and their families in the UK and the support the rest of the world.

'My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience.'

It is believed the King will also hold face-to-face meetings in London next week, despite his ongoing cancer treatment.

He will spend about a day in the capital as his travel is likely to overlap with his medical appointments.

But the king is well enough to hold a limited number of face-to-face meetings, sources say.

The letter comes after he was visited by his estranged son, Prince Harry, 39, following the shock announcement on Tuesday.

The Duke, 39, flew to London on Tuesday on a 10-hour British Airways commercial flight from Los Angeles to Heathrow, arriving at the royal residence at 2.42pm.

He then spent about 45 minutes talking to his father, believed to be their first real contact in 15 months.

It was their first formal in-person meeting since the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

The father and son had a 'brief meeting' before the king and Camilla were driven to Buckingham Palace, where a helicopter waited to take them back to Sandringham.

Before his trip back to the United States, Harry was spotted in Heathrow's exclusive Windsor Suite as he prepared to fly back that afternoon.

It is believed the royal family has not seen his estranged brother and heir-apparent Prince William, or sister-in-law Kate.

Meanwhile, Meghan Markle was pictured smiling as she drove her Range Rover to her $14 million Montecito home just hours before Prince Harry returned home.

Harry is expected to return to Britain in May for a service at St Paul's Cathedral to mark the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games.

The heir to the throne, 41, has taken care of some duties, but a source said William's priority is “supporting his wife and family.”

He organized an investiture ceremony in Windsor castle on Wednesday before attending the London's Air Ambulance charity gala dinner later that evening.

As he entered the room, the Prince of Wales said he 'very much appreciates everyone's kindness' as he spoke out for the first time since the shocking news about the King's health.

His wife, the Princess of Wales, 42, is recovering from abdominal surgery and is on extended leave.

Kate, 42, is on the mend and went on a half-term holiday at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk with her husband and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, Richard Eden reported.

A friend told Eden: 'Catherine is recovering well.

'She was looking forward to a change of scenery and will be able to take it easy in Norfolk while the kids let off some steam with William.'

The royal family was discharged from the London Clinic twelve days ago.

The heir to the throne has no further duties planned this week as he continues to put his wife and children first.

A source told the Daily Mail earlier this week: 'The prince has always made it clear that his priority for now is to support his wife and family – and he has not put a timetable on that.

“He'll be back at work on Wednesday, but you shouldn't expect to see him again for a while after that.”

It is clear that William has his father's '100 percent' support to return at his own pace.

A source said: 'The King adores Catherine and thinks she is doing a great job. He understands that family comes first.”

Queen Camilla also broke her silence on her husband's diagnosis in her first public appearance since the announcement.

The 76-year-old made a five-hour drive from her husband's side in Sandringham to Wiltshire after the local helipad was flooded.

She made the comments as she arrived at Salisbury Cathedral for a charity musical evening.

On Thursday, Ben Abbott, 40, an intensive care paramedic at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: 'I hope His Majesty is doing well, Ma'am, we are all very sad to hear the news.'

Camilla then replied: 'He is doing extremely well considering the circumstances.

'He has been very touched by all the letters and messages the public have sent from all over. That's very cheerful.'