Cancer Research UK (CRUK) has announced that King Charles will become its patron, after his mother Queen Elizabeth II previously held the role.
The late Queen Elizabeth II was the charity’s patron since its formation in 2002 until her death in 2022.
She had also been the patron of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund since 1953, which merged with Cancer Research Campaign to create CRUK in 2002.
The Royal Household is still conducting a review of the hundreds of patronages Queen Elizabeth II held.
Coinciding with the announcement, King Charles and Queen Camilla visited University College Hospital to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and highlight some of the research taking place at the hospital.
King Charles announced earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with cancer, after which several charities reported an increase in website visitors.
Cancer Research UK chair Simon Stevens said: “We are delighted that His Majesty King Charles III has agreed to become our patron.
“As the largest independent funder of cancer science, Cancer Research UK works at the leading edge of progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
“While cancer survival in the UK has doubled in recent decades, nearly one in two people will now get cancer in their lifetime so the king’s support for our vital mission is hugely welcome.”
CRUK recently launched a campaign to raise £400m, the largest-ever philanthropic campaign by a British charity.
Its More Research, Less Cancer campaign encourages high net worth donors to help accelerate cancer research. The money will focus on work at the Francis Crick Institute, support the global cancer research initiative Cancer Grand Challenges and support scientists.
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