King Charles III visited Kate Middleton in hospital today after arriving with Queen Camilla as he prepares to have treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The monarch will be treated at the London Clinic – where his daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales remains after undergoing abdominal surgery. It is understood that Charles went in to see Kate this morning before he going in for his own treatment.
The King will undergo a corrective procedure after being diagnosed with the benign condition – and has postponed his engagements for a recuperation period.
Camilla accompanying the King is being viewed by some as an unusual move, given that the late Queen and Prince Philip normally went into hospital by themselves.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said just after 9.30am: ‘The King was this morning admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment. His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness.’
TODAY — King Charles arrives at the London Clinic in Marylebone this morning for treatment
TODAY — Queen Camilla (centre) is also seen arriving at the London Clinic this morning
A Buckingham Palace statement about Charles being admitted to hospital was issued today
Charles was photographed arriving at the London Clinic in Marylebone at about 9am, minutes after leaving Clarence House. He had arrived at his London residence yesterday following his return by helicopter from the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
The King had been resting at Sandringham since last Friday after flying back there with Queen Camilla from Birkhall, his private home near Balmoral in Aberdeenshire.
It comes as the Princess of Wales remains at the London Clinic after her abdominal surgery. Kate is not expected to carry out official engagements until after Easter.
In a double scare, Buckingham Palace revealed the news about the King’s health on Wednesday last week, 90 minutes after Kensington Palace said Kate was in hospital.
Camilla is said to have told ‘workaholic’ Charles to ‘slow down’, after a year full of engagements – with one tally suggesting he did 516 over the course of 2023.
TODAY — King Charles III is photographed leaving Clarence House in London this morning
TODAY — The King is driven away from his Clarence House residence in London this morning
TODAY — King Charles III is photographed leaving Clarence House in London this morning
TODAY — The King is driven away from his Clarence House residence in London this morning
TODAY — King Charles III is photographed leaving Clarence House in London this morning
She has also been reassuring the public about his health, saying on a trip to Swindon on Monday that the King was ‘fine’.
In addition, Camilla said he was ‘fine’ and ‘looking forward to getting back to work’ while visiting an art gallery in Aberdeen last Thursday.
On Sunday Charles’ former sister-in-law, Sarah, Duchess of York was confirmed to have been diagnosed with skin cancer.
While at Birkhall last week, sources said Charles was ‘genuinely be in good spirits’ and in ‘good form’.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement last Wednesday: ‘In common with thousands of men each year, the King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate.
‘His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure. The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.’
It is understood Charles was keen to share the details of his diagnosis to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked in line with public health advice.
YESTERDAY — The King is driven into Buckingham Palace before heading onto Clarence House
MONDAY — The King is photographed driving on public roads in Sandringham, Norfolk
MONDAY — Queen Camilla told a well-wisher during her trip to Swindon that the King is ‘fine’
LAST FRIDAY — The King is seen leaving RAF Marham on his way to Sandringham in Norfolk
The King was diagnosed last Wednesday after experiencing symptoms and going for a check-up earlier in the week.
He had a series of meetings and events planned at Dumfries House in East Ayrshire last Thursday and Friday, which were postponed on his doctor’s advice.
Charles is known to be a workaholic, who skips lunch, and often stays at his desk dealing with his correspondence and official papers late at night and into the early hours of the morning, but he has generally enjoyed good health, and keeps fit by walking and gardening.
The 75-year-old monarch acceded to the throne just 16 months ago after spending 70 years as the heir to the throne. He was crowned last May in Westminster Abbey.
An enlarged prostate is common in men over the age of 50 and does not usually pose a serious threat to health, according to the NHS.
JANUARY 14 — Charles and Camilla arrive at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral for church
JANUARY 7 — The King arrives to attend St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham
JANUARY 5 — Charles visits Flitcham Church of England Primary Academy in Norfolk
DECEMBER 25 — Charles and Camilla at church in Sandringham on Christmas Day last month
Kate attends the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London last November
When the prostate becomes enlarged, it can put pressure on the bladder and the urethra, which is the tube that urine passes through.
This can cause someone to urinate more often and experience difficulties when doing so.
It is not fully understood why some men develop the condition, but it is believed to be linked to hormonal changes as a man gets older.
Referred to by medics as benign prostate enlargement (BPE), the condition is not a cancer and those with it are not at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.