Designer Behind Humorous Card Sent to King Charles amid Cancer News Speaks Out: 'Meant to Make People Smile'

Mar. 15, 2025

King Charles reads card following cancer diagnosis on Feb. 21, 2024.Photo:WPA-Rota/Press Association Images

WPA-Rota/Press Association Images

King Charlesgot a chuckle out of some of the cards sent to him amid hiscancer diagnosis— and the designer of the greeting says that was exactly what it was meant to do.

On Friday, Buckingham Palace shared a video and photos of the monarch, 75,reading some of the thousands of cards and letterssent to wish him well following the news of his cancer diagnosis and treatment. One image that made the front pages of newspapers showed King Charles smiling at an oversized card featuring a dog on the front that said: “At least you don’t have to wear a cone.”

Illustrator Lisa Stalker, who was behind the card’s design, told theMail on Sundaythat she will “still get excited” to see her card designs in stores, so it was “surreal” to see the King holding one.

“I’m really delighted that His Majesty enjoyed it. That card is meant to make people smile, and it’s clearly succeeded,” said Stalker, who added that her husband bought several newspapers showing the King with the card to “savor” the moment.

Moffat, a self-declared “total royalist” who regularly sends cards to members of the royal family to mark milestones, also was “shocked” to see the King holding the greeting she sent.

“I ran up to the kids and my husband and said, ‘Guess what’s on the news — King Charles is holding our card!’ " she told the outlet.

Thevideoof King Charles looking through the well-wishes came two days after his first face-to-face meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunaksince the monarch began treatment for cancer. During the visit, the King candidly shared, “I’ve had so many wonderful messages and cards. It’s reduced me to tears most of the time.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and King Charles meet in-person on Feb. 21, 2024.JONATHAN BRADY/POOL/AFP via Getty

JONATHAN BRADY/POOL/AFP via Getty

“The Correspondence Team at Buckingham Palace have received more than 7,000 letters and cards from across the world. The King has been sent a selection in his daily red box of paperwork. Many share their own experience with cancer. Others offer good wishes and advice for a speedy recovery. To everyone who took the time to write, THANK YOU,” the palace captioned the video, shared on social media on Friday. “As His Majesty has said, ‘Such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.' "

Another card from a young well-wisher said, “King Charles, sorry to hear you are not feeling well at the moment. I am wishing you a speedy recovery. Get well soon.”

One adult expressed, “I wanted to tell you I am thinking of you as you face your own diagnosis and treatment and send prayers and every good wish for a speedy recovery,” while another said, “Chin up, chest out, remain positive and don’t let it get you down. Trust me, it works, but the main thing is family.”

King Charles and Queen Camilla leave hospital on Jan. 29, 2024.Karwai Tang/WireImage

Karwai Tang/WireImage

King Charles has largely been staying on the royal family’s Sandringham estate since the palacerevealed on Feb. 5that he had been diagnosed with cancer. However, he hastraveled to Londonfor treatment as well as meetings with palace staff.

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Last week,Prince Harry, 39, spoke out about his father’s health news for the time first withGood Morning America’s Will Reeve. When asked how he first learned about his father’s cancer diagnosis, the Duke of Sussex replied, “I spoke to him. I jumped on a plane andwent to go see himas soon as I could.”

“Look, I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that,” Prince Harry added.

When asked about his outlook on the state of his father’s health, he said, “That stays between me and him.”

source: people.com