King Charles II
UK's King Charles III AFP

King Charles is suffering from cancer, Buckingham Palace announced after confirming the diagnosis that the 75-year-old monarch has a benign enlarged prostate condition and is undergoing treatment.

In its statement, Buckingham Palace said "During the king's 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, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.

"Throughout this period, his majesty will continue to undertake state business and official paperwork as usual. The king is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.

"His majesty has chosen to share 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."

At the moment, it is not known what stage or condition King Charles is in, but it is known that he communicated his condition to his sons, Princes William and Harry, as well as to his three siblings.

According to the Press Association, Harry, the Duke of Sussex, spoke with the King about his diagnosis and will shortly travel to the United Kingdom to visit him. "The duke did speak with his father about his diagnosis. He will be traveling to the UK to see His Majesty in the coming days," reportedly said a source close to Harry.

The King, known as Charles III, had had prostate surgery and from there, a biopsy analysis confirmed his cancer.

Charles became king after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022. According to his biographers, he is generally in good health and has rarely been hospitalized, especially for injuries due to his athletic activities, such as polo and skiing.

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," the palace said in a statement, adding that he had begun treatment.

The palace said 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", it said.

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 where Charles was treated.

She left last Monday on the same day as Charles following a stay of around of two weeks and may not return to public duties until late March.

Her husband William, 41, also stepped back temporarily from planned engagements to help care for their three children.
The pair's absence left Queen Camilla, Charles's 76-year-old wife, as the most visible face of the royal family.

William is expected to return to royal duties this week.

At the time of Catherine's operation, Kensington Palace stressed that her condition was not linked to cancer, without elaborating.

-With information from AFP

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