Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles III is facing a health challenge after being diagnosed with cancer. In response, the monarch has decided to temporarily withdraw from public duties to undergo a series of scheduled treatments, as advised by his medical team.
During this period, King Charles III will continue managing State affairs and official paperwork, maintaining a commitment to his responsibilities despite the health setback. The palace emphasized that this decision aims to balance the monarch’s duty to the public with the necessary focus on personal well-being.
News of the King’s health condition has sparked a global outpouring of support, with leaders, citizens, and prominent figures expressing their best wishes for his recovery. Social media platforms have witnessed a surge in messages providing wishes for the Monarch. This collective expression of support underlines the capacity of the international community to unite in empathy during challenging times.
“I, like Canadians across the country and people around the world, am thinking of His Majesty King Charles III as he undergoes treatment for cancer. We’re sending him our very best wishes – and hoping for a fast and full recovery.” Tweeted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
As King Charles III faces this health battle, the world watches with hope, awaiting updates on his progress and sending positive thoughts for a swift and complete recovery. The King’s temporary withdrawal from public duties serves as a reminder of the universal importance of health and well-being.
Which type of cancer does King Charles have?
In Monday’s announcement, palace officials did not specify which type of cancer the king has or how serious his condition is. A Royal source told Reuters that it was not prostate cancer.
The palace said only that the king has commenced a schedule of regular treatments, “during which time [he] has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties”.
“Throughout this period, his Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual,” the palace added.
Buckingham Palace also said the king had decided to be open about having been diagnosed with cancer to “prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer”.
The king’s cancer revelation comes as Catherine, Princess of Wales and wife to the heir to the throne, William, also recuperates at home after spending two weeks in hospital after planned abdominal surgery for an unspecified but non-cancerous condition.
Camilla says King Charles "doing extremely well" after cancer diagnosis, but what is her role?
CBS News royal contributor Julian Payne, who served as communications director for then-Prince Charles, said on "CBS Mornings" that the king has generally enjoyed "very robust health."
"So, this will be something he's not used to," Payne said. "I think he will be stoic about it. I think he will do what the doctors are asking him to do, and I think his eye will be firmly focused on getting back to the job and getting back to full fitness."
Prince Harry in U.K. to visit his father after king's cancer diagnosis
Payne noted that during the reign of Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II, health issues of the monarch and other senior members of the royal family were never discussed. He said Charles took a bold step by addressing his health problems, which may be due to a desire to encourage others to get themselves checked and make doctor's appointments.
King Charles III & Queen Camilla attend Sunday Church
King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the Sunday service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate, Feb. 4, 2024, in Sandringham, England.
Buckingham Palace said Charles had "commenced a schedule of regular treatments," and that during that treatment he would "postpone public-facing duties." It said he would continue with his official business and office work as usual.
"The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible," the statement said, adding that the monarch had "chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer."Payne said there were some underlying messages in the official statement released by Buckingham Palace about the king's health — all of which are composed with the utmost attention to detail.
By stressing that the king would continue with his daily work, even if he cancels public engagements, "what they are actually telling you is that he is in good shape, and that role as head of state is not being impeded in any way," Payne said.
"If it was the case that something more serious was just around the corner, they absolutely would not be giving you that level of operational detail," he said.
People outside Buckingham Palace react to the king's diagnosis
In the U.K., news of King Charles III's cancer diagnosis has been dominating the national conversation since the announcement on Monday, leading every TV bulletin and newspaper front page.
On the ground, people passing by Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, one of the king's official residences, almost unanimously shared the same two feelings: shock and support.
Angela, who is from Cambridge, happened to be sightseeing when the news broke. "It's very sad, but he's got good doctors, so I'm sure whatever cancer he's got, they'll sort it out," she told CBS News. "He's an amazing chap." A passer-by named Will told CBS News on Tuesday that he hopes the best for the king.
"Like most of the people in the UK, I dare say, I wish him the very best of luck and a speedy recovery." Despite not being as popular as the late Queen Elizabeth II at the same stage of her life, King Charles III still enjoys an " enormous amount of affection and goodwill" from the public, according to Roya Nikkhah, the royal editor of The Sunday Times.
"The British public have been really shocked and saddened, as much as they were when the Queen was very unwell and in her final years," she told CBS News. "The nation will want to rally around the king and hope he makes a full recovery."
The news of King Charles III's cancer diagnosis dominates in the United Kingdom. Since Monday's announcement, the national discussion has dominated all debates. Television bulletin and newspaper front page. Locally, passers-by at Buckingham Palace, one of the king's official residences, shared near unanimity on Tuesday in saying two same feelings. Shock and support.
Angela, originally from Cambridge, was on a tourist trip when the news broke. "It's very sad, but he has good doctors, so I'm sure they will take care of the cancer he has too," she told CBS News. "He's a good guy." A passerby named Will told CBS News on Tuesday that he hoped the best for the king “Like most people in the UK, I wish you good luck and a speedy recovery. Although King Charles III was not as popular as the late Queen Elizabeth II at the same stage of her life, he still enjoyed "an immense amount of affection and goodwill" from the public, according to Roya Nikkhah, royal editor of the Sunday Times.
“The British public were really shocked and saddened, as they were when the Queen was very ill and in her final years,” she said. CBS News. "The nation will want to rally around the king and hope that he makes a full recovery."
By - K.B