King Charles, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, has praised people who ‘extend the hand of friendship, especially in a time of need’, and echoed the promise he made at his coronation to serve the nation.

The king’s remarks were recorded in an audio message to be aired at the ancient Maundy Thursday church service at Worcester Cathedral, which the 75-year-old king will miss due to his illness.

The recording was made before the Princess of Wales issued a video message in which she revealed she was having preventative chemotherapy after cancer was discovered in the aftermath of her abdominal surgery in January.

While King Charles will miss the Maundy Thursday service, he is due to join other members of his family on Sunday at a scaled-down Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle, his first public appearance at a royal event since it was announced in February that he was suffering from an undisclosed form of cancer