Buckingham Palace confirmed Monday that King Charles III extended a personal message of support to former President Joe Biden following the announcement of Biden’s recent cancer diagnosis.
On Sunday, the former president’s personal office revealed he had been evaluated for a newly discovered prostate nodule after experiencing worsening urinary symptoms. By Friday, physicians had diagnosed Biden, 82, with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, classified with a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) and showing signs of metastasis to the bone.
While the diagnosis indicates a serious and fast-growing form of the disease, doctors emphasized that the cancer appears hormone-sensitive—an encouraging factor that opens the door for effective treatment options. The former president and his family are currently consulting with medical specialists to determine the best path forward.
The news comes as Biden reemerges into the public eye after concluding his term earlier this year, prompting scrutiny over whether early warning signs might have been overlooked.
King Charles, 76, has been navigating his own cancer battle since early 2024. Though the specific type of cancer has not been disclosed, the monarch temporarily stepped back from public-facing duties for several months. Throughout his treatment, however, he has continued performing constitutional responsibilities, such as reviewing government briefings and meeting regularly with the prime minister.
In March, Buckingham Palace reported that the king was briefly hospitalized after experiencing side effects linked to his ongoing cancer treatment. “Following scheduled and ongoing medical treatment for cancer this morning, The King experienced temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital. His Majesty’s afternoon engagements were therefore postponed,” the palace said in a statement at the time.
The mutual health struggles of the two world leaders have drawn both concern and support from global observers, highlighting the personal toll of cancer even among those at the highest levels of public life.
