Karl Stefanovic and the rest of Australia were “shocked” on Tuesday morning to learn that King Charles III. has cancer.
The Today presenter, 49, appeared stunned as he broke the news on his breakfast show in the early hours of the morning alongside co-host Sarah Abo.
As statements came in from Buckingham Palace about the King's health, the television presenter wore a distressed expression during his reports.
“We all wake up this morning to shocking news,” he told viewers.
Just moments earlier, 36-year-old Sarah had exclaimed that news of the monarch's deteriorating health had “come out of the blue.”
Karl Stefanovic and the rest of Australia were left “shocked” on Tuesday morning when he woke up to find King Charles III, 75, (pictured) has cancer
The 75-year-old King is said to have recently expressed himself “extremely positively” after the shock news that he had cancer.
Family and friends were amazed at his determination to carry on as before, as it is believed his condition was identified very early and the prognosis is good.
As The Sun reported, Charles has been making frequent Sunday night trips to Windsor Castle in recent months to spend time with Prince William, with father and son growing ever closer.
Buckingham Palace dramatically revealed that doctors had discovered an unspecified form of cancer while treating a benign prostate condition.
The Today presenter, 49, (left) appeared stunned as he broke the news on his breakfast show in the early hours of the morning alongside co-host Sarah Abo, 36, (right). “We all wake up this morning to shocking news,” he told viewers
Charles informed his immediate family by telephone, including his estranged son Harry, who will be flying back from his home in California to see his father.
Harry's wife Meghan and their two children will not follow him, a source revealed.
The Duke of Sussex will soon leave the United States to reunite with his father in Britain after King Charles personally contacted his two sons to tell them of his cancer diagnosis before it was announced by Buckingham Palace.
But Harry's wife Meghan Markle and their children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, will remain in LA.
A source close to Harry said he immediately decided to come to the UK as quickly as possible to be by his father's side. Experts have claimed that Harry's escape to Britain “gives an indication of how serious” the king's condition is.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's office announced that Prince Harry would visit his father, saying: “The Duke has spoken to his father about his diagnosis.” He will travel to the UK to see His Majesty in the coming days .”
It is unknown where the Duke of Sussex will stay during his visit to the UK as he needs permission from Buckingham Palace to stay at a royal property.
King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer, Buckingham Palace announced in a statement this evening. Above: Charles was last seen waving to well-wishers as he attended a service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Sunday with his wife Queen Camilla
Buckingham Palace said in a statement this evening: “Another problem was noted during the King's recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement.” Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.
Harry returned the keys to Frogmore Cottage last June when the prince and his wife Meghan Markle vacated the property. His request to stay at Windsor Castle was rejected by the palace on his last visit to the UK in September and Harry ended up staying in a hotel.
It will be the first time the couple has spent significant time together in more than 18 months. Royal observers wondered whether this was a sign of a thaw in relations.
Charles arrived in London from his Sandringham estate yesterday morning with his wife Camilla to begin outpatient treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
She will be by her husband's side throughout but has insisted on continuing her public engagements. Other members of the royal family will represent the sovereign, including the Prince of Wales, who will resume his duties tomorrow following his wife's health problems.
The king, pictured in France last September, will continue to work behind the scenes on red boxes and constitutional duties, but public duties have been suspended and will be shared between his family
Prince Harry will fly from California to London to be by his father's side – the first time the couple have spent significant time together in 18 months
The Prince of Wales will return to royal duties today following his wife's medical problems, joining other members of the royal family to represent the sovereign
While he cancels all his public appearances, Charles insists on continuing with his paperwork and he may even hold a small number of in-person private meetings.
The Mail learned that the royal had known about his diagnosis since early last week and insisted on going to church in Norfolk on Sunday and warmly waving to well-wishers.
Camilla also stoically insisted on opening a new Maggie cancer ward in London on Wednesday, knowing her husband would soon receive treatment.
She carefully told well-wishers at the Royal Free Hospital that he was “coping along and doing his best”. A source said: “Full credit to her. “She was great.”
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “Another problem was noted during the King's recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement.” Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a type of cancer.
“His Majesty began a regular treatment plan today, during which he was advised by doctors to postpone public duties.” During this time, His Majesty will continue to conduct state business and official paperwork as usual.
It is reported that Meghan Markle and her two children – Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet – will not accompany Harry
“The King is grateful to his medical team for the rapid intervention made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure.”
“He remains completely positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public service as soon as possible.” His Majesty has decided to announce his diagnosis in order to avoid speculation and in the hope that it will be made public can promote understanding for all those affected by cancer around the world.”
Royal advisers said they would carefully balance the king's right to privacy at a difficult and sensitive time with his role as head of state. But he hopes sharing the news will allow for accurate reporting of his condition and prevent speculation about an issue that affects so many other families.
No further details are being revealed about what cancer he was diagnosed with, other than to emphasize that it is not prostate cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer death in men in the UK each year. It is emphasized that it was only found when the king was having treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.