The King has addressed his battle with cancer at a cultural event as part of his state visit where he told crowds he wants them ‘to champion the next generation’
03:41, 30 Apr 2026Updated 06:37, 30 Apr 2026
Charles makes health admission in New York visit
King Charles has joked that he ‘won’t see the long-distant future’ while on the latest stop of his state visit to the US, delivering a speech in the presence of A-listers in New York.
The King, who has bravely battled cancer after a diagnosis in 2024, was speaking at a ‘Greater Together’ event in the Big Apple.
The evening was attended by c elebs including Lionel Richie, Anna Wintour, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren, Katherine Jenkins, model Iman, and Donatella Versace joined at auction house Christie’s in New York.
King Charles III, Lionel Richie and Queen Camilla attend the Greater Together Reception
The party was held to showcase UK’s cultural importance across the States – in areas such as sport, arts and community and was held in partnership with The King’s Trust, which had an America branch.
Following words from Lionel Richie, King’s Trust Global Ambassador, the King said he wanted those in the room to “champion the next generation”.
Richie introduced Charles to the stage who, after two speeches yesterday, said: “I hesitate to make yet another speech.”
He went on to say the evening was an opportunity to celebrate the King’s Trust and the “enduring bond” between the UK and US.
Edward Enninful, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Charlotte Tilbury and Lionel Richie attend the Greater Together Reception on day three of the State Visit
Charles added: “Which of course is a relationship rooted in shared creativity, enterprise and values reminding us we are truly greater together, that’s the point.
“Its a wonderfully and proud but extraordinary moment to think its 50 years since I started this Trust. Quite difficult to get it off the ground but we did.
He hailed the “difference it made” over five decades “investing in young people” to create “self-confidence” and has created “highly successful” businesses sold on for millions.
He said: “As we look to the future, I won’t see the long-distance future, but I’m enormously grateful to you for what you can all do as supporters to help in this vital endeavour to champion the next generation ensuring that their talent and ambition continue to strengthen our society for many years to come.”
The light-hearted admission follows several jokes made during his speeches in Washington, in which he claimed to Trump ‘If it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French!’
The King’s condition was first detected during treatment for an enlarged prostate back in 2024.
While the monarch has not disclosed what kind of cancer he was diagnosed with, the Palace did confirm that it wasn’t prostate cancer.
Ever since sharing his cancer diagnosis with the world, King Charles has spoken bravely about his health journey announcing at the end of last year ‘my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the New Year’.