Your health good

Charles and Kate join family at church in cheery end to year marred by illness

- RUSSELL MYERS

AFTER a year of struggles with his own health and a country torn apart by hate-fuelled riots, the King yesterday hailed those who strive to help others.

In his Christmas Day message, Charles praised those who helped him and the Princess of Wales through their cancer battles.

He also spoke of his pride at the way communities united in the face of disturbances across the country after the Southport stabbings in which three young girls were killed.

And with the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War coming next year, the King honoured the sacrifices made by servicemen and women in the conflict.

In an unusual step, the King chose to record his third annual festive address at the Fitzrovia Chapel, a place of worship for all faiths in the former Middlesex Hospital, Central London.

He said: "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. I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us kind words of sympathy and encouragement."

Charles was told he had cancer earlier this year while being treated for an enlarged prostate. Kate was also diagnosed with the disease after having an abdominal operation.

Both are said to be on the road to recovery and are carrying out public duties again.