King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer, Buckingham Palace has confirmed in a statement. It is not prostate cancer but was discovered during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate. The true ailment was not disclosed.
The British monarch will continue with his duties as head of state but will stay away from his public engagements during his treatment. The Royal Household assures that the king “is positive about his treatment and hopes to return to full public duties as soon as possible.”
According to the statement, the king began receiving treatment this Monday in scheduled sessions and made his condition public “to avoid speculation and in the hope that he can help all those affected by cancer.”
Through his X account, formerly Twitter, the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has wished the monarch “a speedy and complete recovery” after learning of his diagnosis. “I do not doubt that he will regain his full strength in no time, and I know that the whole country wishes him well.”
For his part, the leader of the Labor opposition, Keir Starmer, and the speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, have joined the Prime Minister in wishing him a speedy recovery.
On January 17, the monarch announced that he was suffering from prostate hypertrophy, like many men his age. The diagnosis was that of a benign tumor, Buckingham Palace announced at the time. He underwent surgery on the 26th of last month, from which he walked out without major complications.
According to local media, Charles III has personally informed his children of the diagnosis. Prince Harry has announced that he will travel to the United Kingdom to visit his father. Before situations like these, there is a mechanism to substitute the monarch in case of serious illness, known as “state advisors” who can replace him in his public duties.
This story was written in Spanish by Daniel Matute in Cultura Colectiva News
