King Charles says ‘shocked and saddened’ in his first statement since hospilisation; read here

King Charles in his firt statement since his hospitalisation spoke about Myanmar where a massive earthquake killed at least 1,600 people.

In a statement posted on X, King Charles said, “My wife [Queen Camilla] and I were most dreadfully shocked and saddened to learn of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, with its tragic loss of life and appalling damage to homes, buildings and livelihoods, not to mention the destruction of sacred pagodas, monasteries and other places of worship.”

“I know that the people of Myanmar continue to endure so much hardship and tragedy in your live, and I have long admired your extraordinary resilience and spirit.”

He went on to add, “deepest possible sympathy to all those who have suffered the profound tragedy of losing their loved ones, their homes and their precious livelihoods.”

The 7.7-magnitude quake struck northwest of the city of Sagaing in central Myanmar in the early afternoon on Friday, followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock. The quake destroyed buildings, downed bridges, and buckled roads across swathes of the isolated state, which has made a rare plea for international aid. The death toll from the earthquake has crossed the 16,000 mark.

While Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, used to be a British colony, it is not a member of the Commonwealth bloc of nations headed by Charles.

King experienced temporary side effects: Palace on his hospitalisation

The message comes only two days after a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told The Sun that he had been hospitalised for “scheduled and ongoing medical treatment for cancer.”

“The King experienced temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital,” the Buckingham Palace rep said and added, “His Majesty’s afternoon engagements were therefore postponed.”

The spokesperson shared that though Charles had already returned to his London residence, Clarence House, all of his engagements for Friday would be rescheduled “as a precautionary measure, acting on medical advice.”

“His Majesty would like to send his apologies to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result,” the statement concluded.

In February 2024, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles had been diagnosed with cancer following surgery for a benign prostate enlargement. It’s unknown what type of cancer Charles has.