King Charles III in Easter message calls for kindness after cancer diagnosis

King Charles III shared a message Thursday calling for kindness and friendship “in a time of need,” after he and Kate, the Princess of Wales, were diagnosed with cancer.

In a recorded message filmed in mid-March from Buckingham Palace ahead of the Easter holiday, Charles stressed Jesus is “an example of how we should serve and care for each other,” according to Sky News.

“We need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need,” he said, per the report.

Buckingham Palace announced in February that Charles, 75, had been diagnosed with cancer, which was discovered during a prostate procedure. He will make his first public appearance in months this coming Sunday, when he and Queen Camilla attend an Easter service at Windsor Castle.

Officials said Sunday’s event will be smaller than normal and will include members of the royal family at St. George’s Chapel.

While he hasn’t made any public appearances, Charles is working from behind closed doors, according to officials.

Buckingham Palace said he chose to disclose his diagnosis “to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.”

Kate, 42, announced last week that she was diagnosed with cancer amid a media frenzy surrounding her absence from public appearances. She underwent abdominal surgery in January and cancer was found.

She said she’s in the “early stages” of chemotherapy.