Less than a week after King Charles was diagnosed with cancer, the British royal has broken his silence on the matter. Sharing a statement on social media, he said, “I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days.” He continued, “As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.” Charles went on to explain how “heartening” it has been to see how his diagnosis has helped those have a deeper understanding of cancer and the organizations that support the health cause. Many take the king’s statement as a sign that he is in good spirits, but PR expert Eden Gillott exclusively told Nicki Swift that she doesn’t think he had an option.
First, speaking on the statement, Gillott explained, “King Charles’ statement is brief and positive. The statement does an excellent job of showing gratitude while swiftly shifting attention towards others.” She then dove into why Charles may have had to speak on his health condition, and it might have had something to do with all the speculation surrounding his diagnosis. Gillott said, “If he were to fall quiet for too long, speculation would swirl more rapidly regarding his health. Even though he didn’t share details — positive or negative, this statement is a way of checking in.”
