January 17, 2024, 15:36 GMT
Updated 1 minute ago
King Charles III will be hospitalized next week for treatment of an enlarged prostate.
Buckingham Palace said the king's condition was benign but that he would undergo a “corrective procedure.”
The 75-year-old's public appearances will be postponed for a short recovery period, the palace said.
“Like thousands of other men, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate each year,” the statement said.
Benign prostate enlargement – which is not cancerous – is common in men over 50 and is not usually a serious condition, according to the NHS website.
About one in three men over 50 have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, a gland that sits directly beneath the bladder.
Although it does not usually pose a serious health threat, it can cause symptoms and problems, including difficulty urinating or emptying the bladder.
The disease does not mean that the patient has an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
It is unclear what correction process the king will undergo. There are several ways to treat it, including surgery, laser, and even steam treatment.
Buckingham Palace's announcement is the second major health news about senior royals to emerge on Wednesday.
The Princess of Wales will spend up to two weeks in hospital recovering from abdominal surgery on Tuesday.
Her operation was planned and successful, Kensington Palace said. No further details about her condition have been released, but it is not believed to be cancerous.
Details about the health of senior royals are rarely revealed, so it's notable that two updates on two different personalities are being released on the same day.
Buckingham Palace does not routinely comment on health conditions and only releases limited information when providing public updates.