Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer, though not prostate cancer, during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The specific type of cancer has not been disclosed, but the palace revealed that the King has already commenced “regular treatments” as of Monday. Despite the diagnosis, the King reportedly maintains a positive outlook on his treatment and eagerly anticipates returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
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As part of his treatment plan, King Charles will be postponing his public engagements. It is expected that other senior royals will step in to fulfill his duties during this period. The palace has not shared further details regarding the stage of cancer or the prognosis.
The 75-year-old monarch returned to London from Sandringham on Monday morning and will undergo outpatient treatment. While public events will be put on hold, King Charles will continue to fulfill his constitutional role as the head of state, including handling paperwork and engaging in private meetings.
In cases where the head of state is unable to carry out official duties, a constitutional mechanism allows for the appointment of “counsellors of state” to stand in for the monarch. The current lineup includes Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward. Notably, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, as non-working royals, will no longer be called upon.
Prince William, who recently took a brief hiatus from public engagements to support his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, during her recovery from abdominal surgery, is set to resume his official duties later this week.
The Duke of Sussex has already spoken with King Charles and is expected to travel to the UK in the coming days to visit him.
In a statement, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak extended his wishes for the King’s full and speedy recovery, a sentiment echoed by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
King Charles had previously chosen to publicize his prostate treatment, aiming to encourage more men to undergo prostate checks. The palace noted his delight in raising awareness, leading to an increase in inquiries about prostate conditions on the NHS website.
As cancer risks generally rise with age, with over a third of new cases occurring in individuals aged 75 and over, King Charles’s diagnosis sheds light on the importance of health awareness and regular screenings.
Source News : BBC
