LONDON — Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis was made while still at an early stage, providing new insight to the public regarding the 75-year-old monarch’s condition. This news comes as Prince Harry returned home to support his father and Prince William took on additional public duties in preparation for the king’s reduced role. Following the diagnosis, Charles spent the night at home after commencing treatment, marking a new health crisis for the royal family just 18 months after assuming the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Buckingham Palace disclosed on Monday that a “form of cancer” was discovered during a hospital procedure intended for benign prostate enlargement. The type and stage of the cancer were not specified, with the palace clarifying that it was not prostate cancer. Despite the diagnosis, the palace stated that the king remains “wholly positive” but will need to postpone public-facing duties and engagements, continuing to handle state business and official paperwork.
In response to the news, Prime Minister Sunak expressed shock and sadness, emphasizing the importance of catching the cancer early and wishing the king a full recovery. This public disclosure of the king’s diagnosis, albeit limited in detail, marks a departure from past practices where the monarch’s health issues were often kept from public knowledge. The palace stated that the king chose to share his diagnosis to avoid speculation and to provide understanding, particularly for those affected by cancer.
Following the announcement, well-wishes poured in from within the United Kingdom and beyond, with President Joe Biden and the Archbishop of Canterbury offering their support. The news of the king’s diagnosis occurred shortly after both he and Princess Kate underwent medical procedures at a private London clinic. While Charles received a “corrective procedure” for an enlarged prostate, Kate had planned abdominal surgery for a noncancerous condition.
As the king begins his treatment, his eldest son is expected to fulfill some of his duties. According to Charles’ office, the Prince of Wales will be resuming his royal duties this week after postponing them due to his wife’s treatment. Meanwhile, reports indicated that Harry, the Duke of Sussex, was set to return to the UK after speaking with his father about the diagnosis, despite strained relationships with his family in recent years.
This news adds to the complexities of Harry and Meghan’s public withdrawal from senior royal roles in 2020, along with Harry’s candid revelations in his memoir released last year.
