Buckingham Palace has revealed that King Charles III has been diagnosed with “some sort of cancer”. The malignant cells were identified during the 75-year-old’s recent hospitalisation where he was admitted to treat a benign prostate enlargement. A statement from the palace revealed that it was during the procedure that a “separate issue of concern was noted”.
The monarch is not suffering from prostate cancer, with the extent of his condition or type of disease not yet revealed. The King underwent surgery on his swollen reproductive gland on Friday, January 26th. The former Prince Of Wales was reported to have been “doing well” in his recovery, though he had planned on stepping away from public duties for a month to fully recuperate.
In light of the surprising diagnosis, Buckingham Palace announced he would postpone all public duties for the unforeseeable future. “His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties,” the palace revealed. “Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual,” they added.
The press release also notes King Charles’ gratitude towards his medical team and that his outlook remains “wholly positive about his treatment “. It finished by claiming King Charles’ intentions in sharing his diagnosis —”to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.”
The late heads of state, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, both were in good health well up until their near-century of life. But this isn’t the first time the crown has dealt with the disease. As you’ll recall, King Charles’s grandfather, King George VI, suffered from lung cancer and tragically passed from a coronary thrombosis, or a blood clot in the heart, at the age of 56. His early departure in 1951 catapulted his eldest daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, onto the throne at only 25—a position she remained for seven decades until September 2022.
It’s reported that Prince Harry, who is currently estranged from his father, has made plans to travel to London to be by King Charles’ side. “The Duke [of Sussex] did speak with his father about his diagnosis,” an insider revealed. “He will be travelling to the UK to see His Majesty in the coming days.” This will be the first time the Prince has connected with his family since the reported “peace talk” slated in September last year was axed. So far, no senior members of the royal family have issued a statement in support of their King’s recovery.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA International.