Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles III has been diagnosed with a form of cancer. This news follows his recent hospital stay for a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate. While the Palace has confirmed it is not prostate cancer, the specific type has not been disclosed to the public.
The diagnosis was made during his recent treatment for a benign prostate condition. The King, aged 75, commenced a schedule of “regular treatments” starting Monday. In light of this, he will be postponing his public-facing duties, though he will continue to fulfill his constitutional responsibilities as head of state.
Image alt text: King Charles III departing from the hospital after his prostate procedure, prior to his cancer diagnosis.
Buckingham Palace emphasized the King’s positive mindset, stating he “remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.” Details regarding the stage of cancer or prognosis have not been released, respecting the privacy of the monarch during this challenging time.
King Charles personally communicated his diagnosis to his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. The Prince of Wales is reportedly in regular contact with his father, providing support and reassurance. The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, residing in the United States, has also spoken with his father and is scheduled to travel to the UK in the coming days to be with him.
On Monday morning, King Charles returned to London from Sandringham in Norfolk and has already begun his cancer treatment as an outpatient. While public engagements are on hold, the King will continue his essential constitutional duties. This includes managing state papers and conducting private meetings. His weekly audiences with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are expected to continue in person, unless medical advice suggests otherwise.
Royal Family Counsellors of State Amid King Charles’s Health Concerns
In situations where the head of state is unable to perform official duties, the UK constitution allows for “counsellors of state” to act on behalf of the monarch. Currently, these include Queen Camilla, Prince William, the Princess Royal, and Prince Edward. Prince Harry and Prince Andrew are no longer eligible to serve as counsellors of state, as they are not working royals.
Prince William had previously stepped back from public duties to support his wife, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, following her abdominal surgery last month. However, earlier on Monday, it was announced that Prince William would resume his public engagements later in the week, providing a degree of reassurance and stability within the Royal Family during this period of uncertainty surrounding King Charles’s health and “Prince Charles.diagnosis”.
Watch: BBC News Coverage of King Charles’s Cancer Diagnosis Announcement
King Charles was recently seen attending a church service in Sandringham on Sunday, where he appeared in good spirits, waving to the public during a short walk. He underwent his prostate procedure at a private hospital in London over a week prior. At the time, Buckingham Palace had described the treatment as for a “benign” condition.
The Palace clarified on Monday: “It was during this intervention that a separate issue of concern was noted and subsequently diagnosed as a form of cancer.” King Charles’s decision to publicly share his cancer diagnosis reflects his long-standing commitment to raising awareness about cancer-related issues. As Prince of Wales, he was a patron of numerous cancer charities and has frequently spoken out in support of patients, their families, and healthcare professionals.
His openness about his recent prostate treatment also aimed to encourage men to undergo prostate checks. This initiative proved successful, with the NHS website reporting a significant increase in searches for information on prostate conditions. The Royal Society of Medicine has lauded the King for highlighting the indiscriminate nature of cancer and encouraged eligible members of the public to attend cancer screenings.
Dr Jay Verma, president of the general practice with primary healthcare section of the Royal Society of Medicine, emphasized, “Please don’t be shy – the more information we have the better to help, hopefully rule out cancer, or, if not, put you on the most suitable treatment pathway.” Statistics indicate that one in two people in the UK will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. While there are over 200 types of cancer, the most prevalent in the UK are breast, lung, prostate, and bowel cancer, according to the NHS. The risk of developing many cancers increases with age, with over a third of new cancer cases in the UK occurring in individuals aged 75 and above annually.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, along with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, extended their wishes for the King’s swift and full recovery. US President Joe Biden also expressed his concern and indicated he would be contacting the King. In a subsequent post on X, President Biden stated: “Navigating a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship takes hope and absolute courage. Jill and I join the people of the United Kingdom in praying that His Majesty experiences a swift and full recovery.” President Biden’s personal experience with cancer, through the loss of his son Beau to brain cancer and his friendship with the late Senator John McCain, who also succumbed to cancer, adds a layer of personal empathy to his message.
King Charles ascended to the throne in September 2022 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, with his coronation taking place in May of the following year. The King and Queen are scheduled to visit Canada in May, and Australia, New Zealand, and Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October. Buckingham Palace has yet to confirm whether these tours will proceed as planned, and no timeline has been specified for the King’s return to full public duties as he prioritizes his health and treatment for “prince charles.diagnosis”.
Additional reporting by George Bowden
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