Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles III sent a personal message to former U.S. President Joe Biden over the weekend, expressing his support following Biden’s recent cancer diagnosis.
The 82-year-old former president was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, with a Gleason score of nine—indicating a highly advanced stage.
Reports suggest the cancer has metastasized to his bones but remains hormone-sensitive, which allows for ongoing treatment options.
In a statement, Biden’s office explained, “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management.”
On Monday, Biden made his first public remarks since the diagnosis via social media, writing.
“Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
King Charles, who is himself undergoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer, offered his heartfelt best wishes to Biden through the message.
The two leaders have shared multiple meetings in recent years. Biden met Charles—then the Prince of Wales—at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in 2021, and again in 2023 over tea at Windsor Castle, a meeting described by the palace as “extremely cordial.” Biden had also attended Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022.
In 2024, when King Charles revealed his own cancer diagnosis, Biden expressed concern, telling reporters: “I’m concerned about him. Just heard about his diagnosis. I’ll be talking to him, God willing.”
He later shared on social media, “Navigating a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship takes hope and absolute courage.”
Just last week, King Charles spoke publicly about his condition during a visit to Bradford, saying he hoped to be “on the better side” of his treatment soon.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in both the U.S. and the U.K. The Gleason score is a key indicator of cancer severity, with higher numbers denoting a more aggressive form of the disease.
