King Charles III Diagnosed with Cancer, Begins Treatment

King Charles III, the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, has been diagnosed with cancer, according to an announcement from Buckingham Palace. The specific type of cancer has not been disclosed, but it was discovered during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.

The palace stated that the 75-year-old King began receiving regular treatments on Monday and will temporarily suspend public duties during this time. However, he remains optimistic about his treatment and looks forward to resuming his full public duties as soon as possible.

Details about the stage of the cancer or a prognosis have not been shared. The King personally informed his sons about the diagnosis, with the Prince of Wales maintaining regular contact with his father. The Duke of Sussex, who resides in the United States, also spoke to his father and plans to travel to the UK to see him in the coming days.

While pausing his public events, King Charles III will continue to fulfill his constitutional role as the head of state, including administrative tasks and private meetings. In the event that 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, the Princess Royal, and Prince Edward, while Prince Harry and the Duke of York are no longer considered working royals.

Notably, this announcement comes shortly after Prince William temporarily withdrew from public engagements to support his wife, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, during her recovery from abdominal surgery.

King Charles III had undergone a prostate procedure at a private London hospital more than a week ago, which was initially reported as being for a benign condition. However, during the intervention, a separate issue of concern was identified and subsequently diagnosed as a form of cancer.

The decision to publicly disclose his prostate treatment was made by the King in order to raise awareness and encourage more men to undergo prostate checks. The NHS website even reported an increase in inquiries about prostate conditions following his announcement. The Royal Society of Medicine expressed gratitude to King Charles III for highlighting how cancer affects individuals indiscriminately and urged eligible individuals to schedule cancer screenings.

With advancing age, the risk of developing cancer tends to increase. Statistics from the UK indicate that over a third of new cancer cases each year occur in people aged 75 and above.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, and Commons Speaker Sir Lyndsay Hoyle all wished King Charles III a full and speedy recovery. Additionally, US President Joe Biden expressed his concern and stated that he would personally speak with the King.