'Keeping Our Fingers Crossed': Prince Edward Offers Grim But Hopeful Thoughts About King Charles' Cancer Diagnosis

Prince Edward gave a rare interview ahead of his 60th birthday on Sunday, March 10, and the Duke of Edinburgh offered an update on his brother King Charles III's health.

"He's doing well, we are keeping our fingers crossed that it all goes very well," His Royal Highness shared.

"We were all hugely grateful for the extraordinary support from everyone. I know he has been very touched by it all," the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's youngest child added.

The King is battling a still-unidentified form of cancer and has been receiving treatments for the disease for over a month. His Majesty underwent an operation for an enlarged prostate in late January, but Buckingham Palace did let it be known it was not that area in which the cancer was discovered. Numerous analysts and even some physicians have guessed the King could be experiencing anything from bladder, lymphatic, colorectal, or even "any range of blood cancers."

The monarch, who has only reigned for 18 months, is said to be dedicated to fulfilling his constitutional role as head of state, which is being handled behind palace gates. The sovereign is going through his red boxes of state papers each day and was pictured recently meeting with ambassadors. Charles III has deputized the public-facing aspect of his role to other senior royals, such as Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.

The duo, along with Princess Anne, represent the only working royals behind the King, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales. With His Majesty's and the future queen's "debilitating" health scares this year, the Queen and Prince of Wales have been "stretched thin" when it comes to duties since both need to also be near their respective spouses.

This leaves the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal to "hold down the fort."

On Friday, March 8, Edward and Sophie undertook engagements in Leeds, where the local community presented the Duke with a 60th birthday cake. The pair were also on hand to attend the Community Sport and Recreation Awards at Headingley Stadium to mark International Women’s Day.

His Royal Highness was presented with a Leeds Rhinos rugby league shirt that had the number 60 printed on the back. He joked: "Thanks a bunch. I really need to be reminded."

The Duchess of Edinburgh also took the opportunity to praise her "darling" spouse as the "most loving of husbands" and "the best of fathers." The couple have two children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex.

The pair married in the late spring of 1999, and will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on June 19.

GBN reported on Prince Edward's remarks.