Front pages around the globe express 'shock' and 'concern' for King Charles as the world reacts to news of his cancer diagnosis

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The news that Britain's King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer went around the world on Monday, prompting messages of support from world leaders while featuring on the front pages of several international newspapers on Tuesday.

Buckingham Palace made the shock announcement last night, saying that His Majesty had already begun treatment after the cancer was discovered during a recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement.

The 75-year-old monarch will suspend public engagements but will continue with state business, and won't be handing over his constitutional roles as head of state.

On Tuesday morning, the news was front-and-centre on newsstands across the UK, but also on international newspapers across the world.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera described the news as a 'shock in Great Britain' while featuring a picture of a waving Charles alongside his wife Queen Camilla.

The news that Britain's King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer went around the world on Monday and featured on the front pages of several international newspapers on Tuesday. Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera (pictured) described the news as a 'shock in Great Britain' while featuring a picture of a waving Charles alongside his wife Queen Camilla

Two German newspapers - Bild (pictured) and Morgen Post - also pictured His Majesty, along with the headline: 'King Charles has cancer!'

'Great concern for the British King!,' Morgen Post, a Berlin red top, announced. 'Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer. The palace announced this,' it said, adding that prostate cancer has been ruled out by the palace

Italy's Libero newspaper also carried the news on its front page, writing: 'King Charles unlucky: cancer discovered'. 

The text underneath continues: 'Bad luck strikes Charles III. He waited until he was 73 to become king, he was finally enjoying his reign.'

In Spain, La Vanguardia also pictured a waving Charles on its front page, along with the headline: 'Charles announces that he has cancer'.

'The King suspends his public appearances for now, but continues working,' it adds.

Two German newspapers - Bild and Morgen Post - also pictured His Majesty, along with the headline: 'King Charles has cancer!'. 

'Great concern for the British King!,' Morgen Post, a Berlin red top, announced. 'Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer. The palace announced this,' it said, adding that prostate cancer has been ruled out by the palace.

The news also made it on to the front page of O Estado de S. Paulo in Brazil.

As with papers in Europe, the São Paulo publication featured a picture of a waving Charles, along with his wife.

'Charles III discloses cancer diagnosis,' its headline read, with the paper adding: 'British monarch discovered disease when treating prostate enlargement, although tumor is not in this gland - location and severity were not reported.'

O Globo, another Brazil-based paper, also featured the news: 'King fighting cancer' while Jornal do Commercio said: 'Charles III discovers he has cancer'.

The news also made it onto the front page of Asharq Al-Awsat, or 'The Middle East' - the Arabic international newspaper.

'King Charles has cancer,' its headline simply said.

Across the Atlantic, Canada's National Post showed a picture of Charles looking out through a rainy royal carriage window during his coronation last year, announcing that the cancer diagnosis 'forces King to scale back duties'.

The Calgary Herald also featured a picture of Charles on coronation day, this time in his crown waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

In the US, both the Wall Street Journal carried the news on its front page, simply saying: 'King is treated for cancer' above a picture of the Monarch.

The news also made it onto the front page of Asharq Al-Awsat, or 'The Middle East' - the Arabic international newspaper (pictured)

Canada's National Post showed a picture of King Charles during the coronation last year, announcing that the cancer diagnosis 'forces King to scale back duties'

In Spain, La Vanguardia also pictured a waving Charles on its front page, along with the headline: 'Charles announces that he has cancer'

While The King has received mixed support at home over the years, particularly during the 1990s and his marriage to Princess Diana, he has long been a popular figure among world leaders - of whom he has met many while on royal duties.

This was clear in the aftermath on Monday's announcement, with several quickly voicing their support and wished him a swift recovery.

Across the pond, US President Joe Biden said he was 'concerned' about the King's cancer diagnosis.

Mr Biden, who is six years older than the 75-year-old King, was asked by reporters whether he had a message for Charles during a visit to Las Vegas.

The President replied: 'I'm concerned about him. Just heard about his diagnosis.

'I'll be talking to him, God willing.'

Mr Biden later tweeted: 'Navigating a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship takes hope and absolute courage. Jill and I join the people of the United Kingdom in praying that His Majesty experiences a swift and full recovery.'

Spain's El Dia featured the news at the top of its front page on Tuesday (pictured)

The news also made it on to the front page of O Estado de S. Paulo in Brazil

O Globo, another Brazil-based paper, also featured the news: 'King fighting cancer' while Jornal do Commercio said: 'Charles III discovers he has cancer'

His predecessor in the White House, Donald Trump, described the King as a 'wonderful man'.

The frontrunner for the Republican party posted on his Truth Social platform: 'King Charles has cancer. He is a wonderful man, who I got to know well during my presidency, and we all pray that he has a fast and full recovery!'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also offered his best wishes.

He tweeted: 'I, like Canadians across the country and people around the world, am thinking of His Majesty King Charles III as he undergoes treatment for cancer.

'We're sending him our very best wishes - and hoping for a fast and full recovery.'

Canada is one of the 14 Commonwealth realms where the King is head of state.

The leader of Commonwealth member Australia said his country's thoughts were with the King and his family.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: 'Australians know that His Majesty King Charles has always reached out to us in our country's toughest moments, showing kindness and care for those doing it tough.

'All of us are thinking of him and his family in this very hard time.

'We wish him well for a speedy recovery.'

Mr Albanese, who has said he believes an Australian citizen should replace the British monarch as the country's head of state, recently put on hold a plan to hold a referendum on becoming a republic.

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: 'Wishing His Majesty King Charles III a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with the British people. Amities [friendship].'

King Charles and Macron are said to enjoy a 'warm relationship' which grew after the French President gave The King a present in the wake of The Queen's death.

Across the pond, US President Joe Biden (pictured with King Charles, then Prince of Wales, in 2021) said he was 'concerned' about the King's cancer diagnosis

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: 'Wishing His Majesty King Charles III a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with the British people. Amities [friendship]'

His predecessor in the White House, Donald Trump, described the King as a 'wonderful man'

The British Monarch can also speak French, having learned at school. 

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins added to the global support, saying he 'is very sorry and concerned to hear today's statement regarding King Charles' medical diagnosis', according to a statement on his behalf.

'The president has sent his best wishes on behalf of the people of Ireland to King Charles for his medical treatment and for his full recovery, as well as to Queen Camilla and his family.'

Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz sent 'prayers and wishes for the full and fast recovery of the friend of the Jewish people, King Charles'. 

Charles, who became king upon the death of his 96-year-old mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022, has generally enjoyed good health, barring injuries from polo and skiing.

But the palace said that during his recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, 'a separate issue of concern was noted'.

But the palace said that during his recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, 'a separate issue of concern was noted'.

'Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer,' the palace said in a statement, adding that he had begun treatment, but without elaborating on the type of cancer found or how advanced it was.

The palace said the king 'remains wholly positive' and 'looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible'.

The Royal Standard flies above Buckingham Palace, after it was announced that Britain's King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer, in London, Britain, February 6

He had been advised by doctors to postpone public duties, but he would continue to 'undertake state business and official paperwork as usual', the palace added. 

Charles won plaudits last month for being open about his benign prostate condition, with doctors saying awareness was raised and many more members of the public had come forward with symptoms.

He was discharged from a London hospital after a three-night stay for corrective surgery a week ago.

The palace added that the king had chosen to share his cancer diagnosis 'to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer'.