King Charles III said that Jesus Christ had set an example on how to serve in a prerecorded message shared on Thursday.

The message had been recorded in mid-March, roughly a month after it was revealed that Charles had been diagnosed with cancer. For his Easter message, Charles read the King James Version of John 13 in the Bible, in which Jesus washed the feet of his disciples on Maundy Thursday.

“And as we have just heard, in doing so, he deliberately gave to them and to us all an example of how we should serve and care for each other,” Charles said. “In this country, we are blessed by all the different services that exist for our welfare. But over and above these organizations and their selfless staff, we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need.”

Charles also stated that it was “a great sadness” that he was not able to be present with the residents of the United Kingdom. He said that Maundy Thursday holds a “very special place” in his heart, and how its story is about how to serve others.

Charles added that the story reminds him of when he ascended to the throne and how he made a commitment not to have others serve him, but instead to serve others. He concluded that he will continue to fulfill his commitment as king, and that he hopes God’s example in washing the disciples’ feet would continue to inspire others.

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“May God bless you all this Easter,” Charles said, finishing his message.

Charles is not the only member of the royal family to be diagnosed with cancer, as Catherine, Princess of Wales, revealed Friday that she had received cancer treatment in January. The details about the cancer diagnosis have not been disclosed, though Catherine has stated she is recovering and is “going to be OK.”