King Charles diagnosed with cancer, will postpone duties and undergo treatment

Less than 18 months into his reign, Buckingham Palace announced on Monday that King Charles had been diagnosed with a kind of cancer and would be postponing public engagements to receive treatment. Despite this, the monarch remained “wholly positive” about the scare. The palace said that 75-year-old Charles, who ascended to the throne in September 2022 when his mother Queen Elizabeth passed away, had started a course of medical treatments and expressed eagerness to resume full-time responsibilities as soon as feasible. Charles spent three nights in the hospital last month for a corrective operation for a benign enlarged prostate, which led to the discovery of his cancer. The palace stated that a separate source of worry was discovered during the monarch’s hospital stay, but provided no additional information other than that testing proved the king had a “form of cancer”. “No further details are being shared at this stage, except to confirm that his majesty does not have prostate cancer,” the palace said. “Throughout this period, his majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.” As such, Charles will continue to have meetings with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, while his wife Queen Camilla will continue with her engagements. Smiling When the king was photographed on Sunday attending a church service with Camilla, he smiled and waved to passersby, giving no hint as to his prognosis. He has not been in public since he and his daughter-in-law Kate left the same hospital in London, where they had both had scheduled medical care. After undergoing stomach surgery for an undisclosed but non-cancerous ailment, Kate, the Princess of Wales and spouse of Prince William, the heir to the British throne, stayed at the London facility for two weeks. Her return to royal responsibilities is not expected until after Easter. On Wednesday, William, who has been caring for their three kids while Kate heals, will attend his first public event since her surgery. While the royals usually closely guard details of their health, regarding it as a private matter, Charles has been open about his recent treatment. “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,” Buckingham Palace said. Sunak sent his best wishes to the King on X. “I have no doubt he’ll be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will be wishing him well,” he said.

Wishing His Majesty a full and speedy recovery.

I have no doubt he’ll be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will be wishing him well. https://t.co/W4qe806gmv

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) February 5, 2024

Biden concern The leaders of Australia and Canada, where Charles is also head of state, expressed their best wishes and hopes for the king to make a speedy recovery, while US President Joe Biden said he was concerned by the news and planned to call Charles later. “Navigating a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship takes hope and absolute courage,” Biden said. “Jill and I join the people of the United Kingdom in praying that His Majesty experiences a swift and full recovery.” President Emmanuel Macron of France wished King Charles a speedy recovery.

Wishing His Majesty King Charles III a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with the British people. Amitiés.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 5, 2024

The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, sent their heartfelt well wishes to King Charles and their prayers for his good health.

Sara and I send our heartfelt well wishes to King Charles III and our prayers for his good health.

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) February 5, 2024

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The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, sent King Charles his best wishes. He also hoped for a fast and full recovery.

I, like Canadians across the country and people around the world, am thinking of His Majesty King Charles III as he undergoes treatment for cancer. We’re sending him our very best wishes – and hoping for a fast and full recovery.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 5, 2024

The monarch told his immediate family personally about his cancer diagnosis, and Prince Harry, his younger son, will travel to the UK to see him in the coming days, a source close to the Duke of Sussex said. Harry now lives in California with his American wife Meghan and their two children after the couple stepped down from royal duties in 2020. After waiting longer than any heir in British history to become king, Charles’ first year on the throne was dominated by his coronation - Britain’s biggest ceremonial event for generations, full of pomp and pageantry. While before he became sovereign there were suggestions that the long-time environmental campaigner would bring a radical overhaul of the monarchy, Charles has generally followed in the style of his mother, while trying to add some of his own touches. Polls suggest most Britons have a favourable view of his reign so far, although younger generations appear much less enthusiastic about the royal family in general. Prior to his recent health issues, the biggest shadow over the royals was the ongoing fallout between his son Harry and the rest of his family, most notably Harry’s elder brother Prince William. Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, said that for Charles, a workaholic who often worked until midnight on his papers, his recent health issues would mean he would have to take it more slowly now. “His body will tell him he has to, and Camilla certainly will,” she said. “I think he’s mentally exhausted since the death of the queen. It’s been non-stop for him since then.” While Queen Margrethe II of Denmark abdicated last month in favour of her son King Frederik X after 52 years on the throne, Seward said there was no chance Charles would follow suit. “Absolutely not, 100% no,” she said.