Emmanuel Macron wished this Monday evening, February 5, a
“speedy recovery”
to the British King Charles III, a few hours after the shock announcement of the discovery of cancer in the sovereign, who had undergone surgery a few weeks ago prostate.
Although this illness will keep him away from public life for an unknown period of time, the 75-year-old king does not plan to completely cease his activities as head of state of the United Kingdom but also of 14 other countries, he said. Buckingham Palace announced on Monday.
Still, the news triggered a series of international reactions, less than two years after the death of Elizabeth II.
“Our thoughts are with the British people. Friendships
,” continued in a publication on X Emmanuel Macron.
American President Joe Biden, for his part, said
he was “worried”
about the sovereign, and hoped to
“talk to him soon”
.
Former United States President Donald Trump described Charles III as a
“great man (...) we will all pray”
for him.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent his
“best wishes”
to Charles III.
“Like Canadians across the country and citizens around the world, I think of His Majesty King Charles III
,” he wrote on the social network.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he hoped the king
“returns to his duties as soon as possible”
.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, also said
she “wished a speedy recovery”
to the king.
“The whole country will support the king”
Wishes for recovery obviously poured in from the entire British political class, including Scottish separatists and Northern Irish republicans.
“I have no doubt that he will quickly regain all his strength and I know that the entire country sends him its best wishes
,” said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on X. Boris Johnson, one of his predecessors, said assured that
“the entire country will support the king”
.
Well-known celebrities in the United Kingdom also reacted, according to the BBC, such as ex-footballer and sports journalist Gary Lineker, who said he was
“sorry”
to hear this
“horrible news”
.
David Suchet, known for his role as Hercule Poirot, congratulated the fact that Charles III had
“publicly shared his diagnosis”
.
Like his operation for a benign prostate problem about which he had been transparent, Charles III
“chose to share his diagnosis in order to avoid speculation, and in the hope of helping the public to understand all those affected by cancer around the world”
, it is indicated by Buckingham Palace.
The announcement of his prostate problem had already contrasted with the secrecy surrounding the health of Queen Elizabeth II in the years preceding her death on September 8, 2022 at the age of 96, at the end of a record reign 70 years old.
It comes at a time when the wife of his heir William, Kate, 42, was hospitalized on January 16 for an abdominal operation, the cause of which is kept secret.
She hasn't been seen in public since appearing with the rest of the family for Christmas.