Buckingham Palace announced this Monday, February 5 that, during his visit to the hospital last week, cancer was detected in Charles III.
In an Instagram post published this Monday, February 5, 2024, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III had just been diagnosed with cancer. It was during the recent hospital procedure, which the king underwent last Thursday, and during which he was operated on for an enlarged prostate, that doctors discovered another element which has them for less worried. “Subsequent diagnostic tests identified a form of cancer,” Buckingham Palace explains today, announcing that King Charles III began “a program of regular treatments” on Monday.
To follow this program, however, he was advised by doctors “to postpone public duties”, Buckingham Palace also reports. “Throughout this period, Her Majesty will continue to undertake state affairs and administrative formalities as usual,” the monarchy nevertheless specifies. While the king says he is grateful to his medical teams, Buckingham Palace also specifies that the King of the United Kingdom says he is looking forward “to resuming his public functions as soon as possible”. And added: “Her Majesty has chosen to share her diagnosis to avoid speculation, but also in the hope that it helps to improve public understanding of what all people with cancer around the world go through. .”
Prince Harry soon at the bedside of King Charles III
Very quickly after the announcement from Buckingham Palace, reactions multiplied. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, wished a “speedy and complete recovery” to Charles III of best for his recovery. As for the Scottish Prime Minister, he also had a word for those close to the king. “My thoughts are also with Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the royal family in what I know will be a worrying time for them all,” he said, as relayed by the BBC. Mark Drakeford, Welsh Prime Minister, said he was “saddened to hear the news”. Finally, the Deputy Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Emma Little-Pengelly, wished him “the best for his treatment”.
The BBC also relays that Prince Harry, who has lived in California for several years now, was able to speak to the king about his diagnosis and indicated that he would travel to the United Kingdom in the coming days to see him. According to British radio, Charles III personally announced the news to his two sons as well as his brothers and sister.
Internationally, many leaders and political figures have also reacted. “We wish His Majesty King Charles III a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with the British people. Friendships,” tweeted Emmanuel Macron. On the Washington side, the announcement was described by the spokesperson for American diplomacy as “incredibly sad news”, reports the BBC, while American President Joe Biden said “we are worried.”[re] “Like Canadians across the country and citizens around the world, I am thinking of His Majesty King Charles III, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. We send him our best wishes and hope that he will recover quickly and completely,” responded the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, on X. And Donald Trump wished “a rapid and complete recovery” to King Charles III.