King Charles’s Easter message calls for kindness and friendship after double cancer shock

King Charles will stress the importance of friendship “especially in a time of need” in his first public address since the Princess of Wales revealed she was undergoing cancer treatment.

The monarch’s pre-recorded message will be broadcast in his absence at a Royal Maundy service in Worcester Cathedral on Thursday, which the Queen will lead.

He will say how Jesus set an “example of how we should serve and care for each other”, and how as a nation “we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need”.

The King stops short at directly referring to his and his daughter-in-law’s health, but his words will be interpreted as an acknowledgment of the challenges they have faced over the past few months.

He also implies that kindness and friendship have helped them deal with their diagnoses and course of treatment.

Both Charles and Kate have received an outpouring of well wishes since they made their cancer diagnoses public.

The princess was said to be “extremely moved” by the support she has received following her emotional video message where she revealed she has started a course of preventative chemotherapy.

Last month the King told how he had been reduced to tears by the thousands of messages and cards of support he received from well-wishers.

Charles’s words will also serve as a reminder that the rampant online speculation about Kate’s health has been unhelpful

She was subjected to weeks of conspiracy theories about her whereabouts and her condition after retreating from public view to recuperate following major abdominal surgery in January.

The King was described by the Palace as being “so proud” of the princess for her courage in speaking out, and is said to be in “the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law

The 75-year-old, who only acceded to the throne 18 months ago, will also reamplify his Coronation pledge “not to be served but to serve”.

In his brief personal message, which was recorded in mid-March, the King will describe the Maundy money recipients as “wonderful examples of such kindness” in “giving so much of their lives to the service of others in their communities”.

He has also recorded a Bible reading that will be heard by the dozens of guests at today’s service.

Dressed in a suit, Charles was pictured sitting at his desk in Buckingham Palace’s 18th Century Room as he recorded his message

In front of him was a vase filled with spring flowers and two microphones ready to capture his words

The King has stepped back from large-scale public duties while receiving outpatient treatment.

Since his surgery for an enlarged prostate surgery at the end of January, he has undertaken his stately duties such as his weekly audience with the Prime Minister and in recent weeks he has started to ramp up his number of private engagements.

A source close to the King said “treatment is going well”, adding: “Both doctors and patient remain positive.”

On Wednesday, the King held a private audience with Mohamed Nasheed, Secretary-General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, at Buckingham Palace. And on Tuesday he hosted a gathering of faith leaders.

He will not be attending today’s Royal Maundy service, however, due to the health risks associated with large crowds.

But the King will lead the Royal Family at the traditional Easter Sunday church service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor – his first major event since his cancer diagnosis.

Fewer royals will be in attendance than normal in order to minimise his contact with others.

The Royal Maundy service is a major fixture on the royal calendar and normally the monarch, who is the head of the Church of England, presents specially minted coins to people recognised for their community service.

The ceremony commemorates Jesus’s Last Supper when he washed the feet of his disciples as an act of humility the day before Good Friday.

Today sovereigns no longer wash the feet of the needy as they did in medieval times but 75 women and 75 men – signifying the King’s age – will be presented with two purses, one red and one white, filled with Maundy money.

Today sovereigns no longer wash the feet of the needy as they did in medieval times but 75 women and 75 men – signifying the King’s age – will be presented with two purses, one red and one white, filled with Maundy money.

The Maundy Money ceremony began in 1662, when Charles II gave out coins.

Anti-monarchy group Republic will stage a protest outside Worcester Cathedral.