London
CNN
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Britain's King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer and will step back from royal duties while he undergoes treatment, Buckingham Palace announced on Monday.
The update comes after Charles, 75, visited a London hospital last month for corrective surgery for an enlarged prostate.
The palace said in a statement on Monday that tests were carried out and revealed “a type of cancer.” A royal source told CNN that the form of cancer detected was not prostate cancer, but declined to elaborate further.
“His Majesty today began a regular medical treatment schedule, during which time doctors have advised him to postpone official duties,” the palace said in a statement.
“Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to engage in state affairs.”
We are also proceeding with the official paperwork as usual.”
The king spent three nights at the London Clinic, a private hospital near Regent's Park, for a recent operation and was previously said to be doing “good” following the surgery.
He appeared in good spirits for the first time since undergoing treatment on Sunday, waving to the public as he made his way to a Sunday morning church service in Sandringham, Norfolk. His wife Queen Camilla also accompanied him.
Alberto Pezzali/AP
Charles and Camilla left their jobs at the London Clinic in central London last week after the king was admitted to hospital for treatment for an enlarged prostate.
A royal source added that the king returned from Sandringham on Monday morning and began outpatient treatment in London.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “The King is grateful to the medical team for their quick intervention, which was made possible thanks to recent hospital procedures.” “He remains completely positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full official duties as soon as possible.”
“His Majesty has chosen to make his diagnosis public in order to avoid speculation and in the hope that it will aid public understanding of people around the world affected by cancer,” the palace concluded.
It is not yet known how the cancer was discovered while the king was undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate. Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a CNN medical analyst, said that when patients are admitted to the hospital, they often undergo tests such as chest X-rays, which can reveal other health problems.
“During a routine evaluation for prostate surgery, it appears that something else was abnormal,” Reiner said.
Prince Charles became king following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022.
Prince William, the next heir to the throne, will return to royal duties later this week after taking time off to support his wife's own recovery from abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace announced in a press statement early Monday.
Sources close to the Prince of Wales say Prince William is in regular contact with his father.
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's office said Prince Harry had told his father about the diagnosis and was planning to travel to the UK to meet the monarch in the coming days.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have had a long-standing public feud since stepping back from royal duties, but Prince Harry briefly visited Britain on behalf of Prince Charles. be. Last year's coronation.
British political leaders were quick to react to the news. “We wish Her Majesty a full and speedy recovery,” Chancellor Rishi Sunak wrote on social media.
“I have no doubt he will be back to full strength soon and I know the whole country is wishing him the best,” Sunak said.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden said he was “concerned” about King Charles.
“I'm worried about him. I just heard about his diagnosis,” Biden said in Las Vegas when asked about the developments. Biden said he plans to meet with the king soon, “God willing.”
Leaders of Commonwealth countries such as Canada and Australia, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron, also expressed support for the king.
“We wish His Majesty King Charles III a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with the British people,” Macron wrote in a post on X.
Monday's announcement from Buckingham Palace, made early in the evening in London, marked an unwelcome milestone in Prince Charles' reign as British monarch.
This adds to an already difficult period for the royal family, which will begin the new year without three of its most senior members due to health-related issues.
Charles' prostate surgery required a three-day hospital visit during which tests were performed that revealed cancer. Queen Camilla, who visits her husband every day, was by her side when he departed last Monday.
Camila previously said during their recent engagement that her husband was “doing well” and “looking forward to getting back to work.”
Kate, Princess of Wales, was also dealing with abdominal issues and was discharged from the same hospital hours earlier after surgery.
She was scheduled for abdominal surgery and was admitted to the hospital on January 16th. The next day, Kensington Palace announced that her surgery was a success and that she would remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days. The purpose of the surgery is unclear, but a royal source told CNN the 42-year-old's symptoms were non-cancerous.
Since then, Duchess Kate and her husband Prince William have disappeared from public life, focusing on Kate's recovery.
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Why a doctor says Buckingham Palace should release more details about King Charles' diagnosis
Prince William and Duchess Kate had kept their royal diaries off until at least Easter, but Kensington Palace announced on Monday afternoon, hours before Charles' diagnosis was made public, that Prince William would resume royal duties later this week.
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, was also diagnosed with melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, last month.
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Charles was generally in good health and was known to enjoy long walks in the countryside. He contracted the coronavirus twice, in 2020 and 2022, but recovered in good time both times.
If the King becomes ill and is temporarily unable to carry out all of his duties, he may delegate some of his duties to two or more Counselors of State.
The current State Counselors are Camilla, William, Harry, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Prince Andrew, and Princess Beatrice.
If the king is no longer able to fully carry out his constitutional duties and the state is no longer functioning properly, his powers can be withdrawn and a regent can take over. According to the 1937 law, the next heir to the throne will be Prince William.
