Buckingham Palace announced on Monday that King Charles III, aged 75, has been diagnosed with cancer. The exact nature and stage of the cancer have not yet been specified by the palace. The revelation follows a recent hospitalization of the king, initially aimed at treating a prostate problem. During this period, a type of cancer unrelated to the prostate was identified, as clarified by close sources and confirmed by the Reuters news agency.
The commencement of treatment has already been confirmed, and although some of his public activities have been postponed on medical advice, the king remains committed to his state duties, including previously scheduled meetings with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The Palace informed that King Charles III is “fully confident” in the treatment and has expressed his wish to return to public duties as soon as possible.
The decision to make his diagnosis public was motivated by the king’s desire to avoid speculation and foster a greater understanding of the impact of cancer. This move marks a significant break in the tradition of the British royal family, which has historically remained reserved about personal health issues, signaling an unprecedented moment of transparency.
