King Charles talks about the “uncertainties and anxieties of illness” during his Christmas speech

King Charles III is thankful for those who stood by the royal family this past year.

The monarch, 76, reflected on 2024, which saw both him and his daughter-in-law Kate Middleton revel their respective cancer diagnoses.

“All of us go through some form of suffering at some stage in our life, be it mental or physical,” the king said in his pre-taped message for his annual Christmas address. “The degree to which we help one another — and draw support from each other, be we people of faith or of none — is a measure of our civilization as nations.”

King Charles reflects on this past year in his annual Christmas address. X/RoyalFamily

In this image released on Dec. 23, 2024, King Charles III records his Christmas message at the Fitzrovia Chapel on Dec. 11, 2024 in London, England. Getty Images

“I am speaking to you today from the Chapel of the former Middlesex Hospital in London,” the king continued, “and thinking especially of the many thousands of professionals and volunteers here in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth who, with their skills and out of the goodness of their heart, care for others, often at some cost to themselves.”

Noting the care he witnessed firsthand, he added, “From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed.”

As Charles put it, “I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement.”

King Charles in the pre-recorded video. X/RoyalFamily

Last February, Buckingham Palace revealed that Charles had been diagnosed with cancer and had began treatment. The cancer was discovered in January after he underwent a planned procedure to treat a benign enlarged prostate. 

“I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days,” Charles said in a statement at the time. “As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.”

The king continued, “It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organizations [that] support cancer patients and their families across the UK and wider world.

Britain’s King Charles, Queen Camilla, Britain’s William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte walk to attend the royal family’s Christmas Day service. REUTERS

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

At the time, Charles canceled all in-person engagements and only returned to his more public royal duties in April.

In March, Kate, revealed that she had also been undergoing cancer treatment for about a month. In September, the Princess of Wales, 42, announced she had finished her chemotherapy treatment.

“I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” the Princess of Wales announced in a statement on X.

Members of the royal family, led by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, attend the morning service at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate on Christmas Day. John Rainford / SplashNews.com

“Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”

Meanwhile, palace sources confirmed earlier this month to The Post that “[the king’s] treatment has been moving in a positive direction, and as a managed condition the treatment cycle, will continue into next year.”

On Christmas Day, all working members of the royal family congregated in St. Mary Magdalene Church on Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

The king outside of the church on Christmas. John Rainford / SplashNews.com

King Charles and Queen Camilla, who have made Christmas morning mass at Sandringham Church an annual tradition, were joined by Kate, Prince William and their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The king and queen led the royal family’s walk for the third year, which saw them greeting members of the public on their way to the church. Prince William, Kate Middleton and their children were close behind them.

The king with Reverend Canon Paul Williams after attending the Christmas service. AFP via Getty Images

Prince William has previously described the annual walk as an event he had “strong memories” of, according to People.

“My grandfather [the late Prince Philip], he used to walk so fast that there’d be huge gaps and spaces between all of us walking down, and there’d be us at the back with little legs trying to keep up,” William, 42, recalled. “You know, I think over time you start to feel quite attached to those moments and those memories before.”