The Buckingham Palace has disclosed that King Charles III will postpone his public-facing duties while he is treated for cancer.
Buckingham Palace announced on Monday, February 5, 2024, that the British King had been diagnosed with cancer and is already receiving treatment.
The type of cancer the King was diagnosed with has not been revealed but Buckingham Palace said that it was not prostate cancer.
The cancer was discovered when the 75-year-old monarch recently underwent treatment at the London Clinic for a benign enlarged prostate.
King Charles was last seen in public at Sandringham in Norfolk on Sunday, February 4, 2024, where he attended a church service with the Queen.
It was also the first time he had been seen since he was discharged from the London Clinic.
The Buckingham Palace announced that the King began regular outpatient treatments on Monday and will postpone public duties during his treatment.
The Palace added that Charles “remains wholly positive” about his treatment and “looks forward” to returning to public duty.
Although he will pause his public events, King Charles will continue with his constitutional role as head of state, including paperwork and private meetings.
It is understood the King’s weekly audiences with UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak will continue and will be in person, unless doctors advise that he limits such contact.
Prince William, the Prince of Wales, is expected to cover some duties on the King’s behalf, in addition to his own diary of engagements.
The King personally informed both his sons; the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, of his diagnosis, as well as his three siblings, the Princess Royal, Duke of Edinburgh and Duke of York.
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, who lives in the United States, has spoken with his father about his cancer diagnosis and would be travelling to the UK to see him in the coming days, the Office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed.
The Palace called for the King’s privacy to be respected, especially during his treatment, but said that the King wanted to make his diagnosis public because of his long-running support for cancer charities.
World leaders wished the King a speedy recovery after it was announced that the 75-year-old monarch had been diagnosed with cancer.
U.S President, Joe Biden, whose son Beau died of brain cancer in 2015, said that dealing with a cancer diagnosis takes courage.
He posted on X:Navigating a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship takes hope and absolute courage. [My wife] Jill and I join the people of the United Kingdom in praying that His Majesty experiences a swift and full recovery.
Former U.S President, Donald Trump wrote on social media, “He is a wonderful man, who I got to know well during my presidency, and we all pray that he has a fast and full recovery!”
Rishi Sunak, as well as the Labour leader Keir Starmer, and former UK Prime Ministers, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss also sent their best wishes.
Sunak Lauds King Charles’ Early Cancer Diagnosis
UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said that he is thankful that King Charles’s cancer was “caught early.”
When asked how he received the news, Sunak told a news agency, “Obviously, like everyone else, shocked and sad, and just all our thoughts are with him and his family.”
He added, “Thankfully, this has been caught early.”
He said that everyone will be hoping that the King “gets the treatment that he needs and makes a full recovery.”
“That’s what we’re all hoping and praying for, and I’m of course in regular contact with him and will continue to communicate with him as normal,” Sunak added.
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