King Charles III, 75, has been diagnosed with cancer and has been advised by doctors to minimize personal contact and avoid public events, Buckingham Palace announced on Monday.
Royal experts say the announcement marks a marked shift from the past when the king's suffering was often hidden from the public.
"Another problem was noted during the King's recent hospitalization for an enlarged prostate," the palace said in an emailed statement. "Subsequent diagnostic tests identified a type of cancer."
The statement also did not specify at what stage the cancer was diagnosed.
Separately, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Charles is free of prostate cancer.
The news comes a week after Duchess Kate and King Charles were discharged from a private clinic in London after undergoing medical procedures. The royal family underwent "corrective surgery" for an enlarged prostate, while Duchess Kate, 42, underwent unspecified abdominal surgery on January 17.
"His Majesty has begun her usual treatment plan today, but she has been advised by her doctors to postpone her official duties in the meantime," her statement continued.
According to her statement, the king announced her death in part to avoid speculation about her condition, but "in the hope of contributing to public understanding of all people affected by cancer around the world." He wanted to make his diagnosis public.
Before becoming King, Prince Charles was a patron of cancer charities and said: ``In this role, His Majesty supports cancer patients, their families, and the amazing medical professionals who support their care.'' I have frequently spoken out in public to do so." According to Buckingham Palace. A royal spokesperson said the king returned to London on Monday and began outpatient treatment, although details about his treatment and prognosis were not disclosed.
Royal biographer and historian Sarah Gristwood said the very announcement of the diagnosis was surprising, given that the royal family had in the past tried to "cover up signs of ordinary human fallibility behind closed doors". "It's amazing," he said.
"When Charles's grandfather, King George VI, became seriously ill, the severity of his illness was kept a secret not only from the public but also from the patient himself," Gristwood said of King George, who died in 1952. Told. "That was the attitude back then. Fortunately, things have changed now."
Prince Charles ascended the throne in May last year in a coronation ceremony held just months after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth ruled until her death in September 2022 at the age of 96. Her 70 years on the throne made her Britain's longest-reigning monarch. Duchess Kate is still recovering, but her husband Prince William is expected to return to royal duties by attending the Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner in London on Wednesday.
Kensington Palace previously said the Princess of Wales was unlikely to return to her royal duties until March 31, Easter. A date for the king's return to official duties has not been announced.
Buckingham Palace noted that many of the monarch's scheduled public engagements would have to be postponed or canceled, and apologized in advance to anyone who had caused any inconvenience. Prince Charles' wife Queen Camilla will continue to carry out her royal duties while undergoing treatment. Craig Prescott, a law professor at Royal Holloway University in London and an expert on constitutional aspects of the monarchy, said Buckingham Palace also stressed that no members of the Cabinet of State would be appointed, meaning the king would continue to carry out his duties. He said this is a sign that it will happen.
"If the King is absent due to illness or travel abroad, a Councilor of State may be appointed to represent the King and take on the monarch's formal constitutional duties, such as granting royal assent to legislation and enforcing it." It was written on the red box. Prescott.
A source close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Meghan Markle told NBC News that Prince Harry has spoken to his father about the diagnosis.
"He is scheduled to travel to the UK to meet His Majesty in the coming days," the source said.
Prince Harry stepped down from his role as a senior member of the royal family in 2020 and has since settled in California with his wife and two children. He has rarely visited the UK in recent years, voicing his concerns over his family's lack of safety and reports of a deepening rift between his father and older brother William. He attended both his grandmother's funeral and his father's coronation.
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