King Charles III has been diagnosed with a form of cancer and has begun treatment, Buckingham Palace said on Monday, February 5.
The news comes just a week after he was discharged from hospital for prostate surgery.
Charles, who became king upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022, has generally enjoyed good health, barring injuries from polo and skiing.
But in a statement released on Monday evening, the palace said that during his recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement a separate issue of concern was noted.
“Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer. His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments,” the palace said.
The statement added that the king remains wholly positive and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
In the meantime, he had been advised by doctors to postpone public duties although he would continue to undertake state business and official paperwork as usual.
The king won plaudits for being open about his benign prostate condition, with doctors saying many more members of the public had come forward with symptoms.
The palace added that Charles had chosen to share his cancer 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 diagnosis will prolong a frontline shortage of royals created by Charles’s prostate procedure and the almost simultaneous hospitalisation of Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Catherine, 42, who is the wife of Charles’s son and heir to the throne Prince William, underwent abdominal surgery at the same hospital that Charles was treated in.
Her husband William, 41, also stepped back temporarily from planned engagements to help care for their three children. William is expected to return to royal duties this week.
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