King Charles III suffers from cancer that was recently discovered during prostate surgery, which will keep him out of public life indefinitely.
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Less than a year and a half after succeeding his mother Elizabeth II to the British throne and nine months after the coronation, the 75-year-old ruler does not want to completely give up his position as head of state of the United Kingdom, but also of 14 other countries, Buckingham Palace announced announced on Monday.
“During the recent procedure for benign prostatic hyperplasia, another problem was identified” and “subsequent tests revealed a type of cancer,” the palace explains in a statement.
The palace said the health problem was not prostate cancer.
The king “began a program of regular treatments today (Monday) during which doctors have advised him to postpone his public activities,” the palace said. However, he will continue to “take care of state affairs and administrative tasks as usual”.
“Very optimistic”
According to Buckingham Palace, the King “remains very optimistic about his treatment and looks forward to returning to public duties as soon as possible.”
After learning of the diagnosis, US President Joe Biden said he was “concerned” for the sovereign, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he hoped “he will make a quick and full recovery.”
“I have no doubt that he will quickly recover his strength and I know that the whole country sends him its best wishes,” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on X (ex-Twitter).
I wish His Majesty a full and speedy recovery.
I have no doubt that he will be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will wish him well. https://t.co/W4qe806gmv
– Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) February 5, 2024
Wishes for recovery poured in, including from Scottish independence Prime Minister Yumza Yousaf and Northern Irish Republican Michelle O'Neill.
As with his operation for a benign prostate problem, which he had spoken transparently about, “Charles III decided to communicate his diagnosis in order to avoid speculation and in the hope of helping the public to all people affected by cancer around the world understand,” it says.
The announcement of his prostate problem already contrasted with the secrecy surrounding Queen Elizabeth II's health in the years before her death on September 8, 2022 at the age of 96, at the end of a record 70-year reign.
It comes as his heir William's wife Kate, 42, was hospitalized on January 16 for abdominal surgery, the cause of which is being kept secret. She hasn't been seen in public since her Christmas appearance with the rest of the family.
Kensington Palace announced a week ago that she had been discharged from the private London clinic where she underwent the procedure and was continuing her recovery at the family home in Windsor, west London.
The reasons for his surgery remain a mystery, but it is not cancer, according to British media.
The palace announced that it would likely suspend its activities until Easter, March 31.
Harry soon in Britain
William, the eldest son of King Charles III, had also given up his public duties to give priority to his family. But his services announced Monday that he would attend an honors ceremony in Windsor on Wednesday and then a charity gala in London.
In exile in California, Charles' youngest son Harry will return to Britain to see his father, despite the infamous tensions between the Duke of Sussex and his father and older brother.
The forced withdrawal of Charles, Kate and William brought Queen Camilla, 76, to the fore, with numerous weekly trips for the one who remains little loved by the British, who adored Princess Diana, the ruler's first wife .
At the end of January, Prince Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who had recently undergone breast cancer surgery, announced that she was suffering from “malignant melanoma”, a skin cancer.
When the Duchess of York is no longer an active member of the family, “Fergie” continues to share a mansion near Windsor Castle with King Charles' brother.