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LONDON (AP) — The British government King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer and has started treatment, Buckingham Palace said on Monday. With less than 18 months left in his reign, the 75-year-old monarch will suspend his public engagements but will continue with state affairs and will not relinquish his constitutional duties as head of state.
The palace did not reveal what type of cancer the king has, but said it is not related to his recent treatment for a benign prostate condition.
The palace said “another issue of concern was noted” during Charles’ treatment for an enlarged prostate last month, when he passed three nights in a London hospital.
“Diagnostic testing has identified a form of cancer,” he said in a statement.
“Her Majesty has today begun a program of regular treatments, during which time doctors have advised her to postpone her public duties,” the palace said. “During this period, Her Majesty will continue to conduct state affairs and official procedures as usual.”
The king is being treated as an outpatient, the palace said.
Carlos said, who has generally enjoyed good health“remains entirely positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duties as soon as possible.”
The palace added that the king “has decided to share his diagnosis to avoid speculation and in the hope that it can help public understanding of all those around the world affected by cancer.”
Charles became king in September 2022 when his mother, Queen Elizabeth IIHe died at the age of 96 after 70 years on the throne.
News of the king’s diagnosis comes as his daughter-in-law Kate, Princess of Wales, recovers from abdominal surgery that kept her hospitalized for about two weeks.
Kate is still taking a break from her royal duties while she recovers. Her husband, Prince William, heir to the throne, also took time off to help care for the couple’s three children, but is scheduled to preside over an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle and a charity dinner on Wednesday. .
Charles came to the throne with the intention of presiding over a reduced monarchy with less royals perform public ceremonial duties. But with Charles and Kate temporarily sidelined, Prince Harry in self-exile to California, and Prince Andrew largely banished from view due to his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the royal “Firm” risks becoming severely overstretched.
The king personally called William and Harry, as well as their siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, to share news about their health.
Harry, who stepped down from royal duties in 2020, has spoken to his father about the diagnosis and “will travel to the United Kingdom to see Her Majesty in the coming days,” the office of Harry and his wife, Meghan, said.
UK political leaders sent messages of support. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: “Wishing Her Majesty a speedy and full recovery. I have no doubt that she will regain all her strength in no time and I know that the whole country will wish her the best.”
US President Joe Biden, traveling to Las Vegas on Monday, said he had just learned of Charles’ diagnosis and said he hopes to speak with him, “God willing.”
“I’m worried about him,” Biden told reporters.
The president later posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Facing the diagnosis, treatment and survival of cancer requires hope and absolute courage. “Jill and I join the people of the United Kingdom in praying that Her Majesty experiences a speedy and full recovery.”
Charles departed from royal tradition with his frankness about your prostate condition. For centuries, the British royal family kept their mouths shut on health issues.
When the monarchs of the United Kingdom had royal power, news of illnesses was hidden for fear that it would weaken their authority. The habit of secrecy persisted after royals became constitutional figures.
The British public was not told that Charles’s grandfather, King George VI, had lung cancer before his death in February 1952 at the age of 56, and some historians have claimed that the king himself was not told. who had a terminal illness.
In the last years of Isabel’s life. The public was only told that the queen suffered “mobility problems.” Her cause of death was listed on the death certificate simply as “old age.”
Pat Price, founder of the Catch Up With Cancer campaign, said millions of people shared the “collective concern” for the king’s health.
“The king’s candor about his battle with cancer is a powerful reminder that one in two of us may face cancer at some point in our lives,” Price said.
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An earlier version of this story incorrectly said Prince William would oversee an investiture at Buckingham Palace.
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Associated Press writers Sylvia Hui and Brian Melley in London, Danica Kirka in Helsinki and Darlene Superville in Las Vegas contributed.