King Charles has been praised for breaking royal traditional to share details about his prostate condition with the public.
The King yesterday revealed he had been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate and would attend hospital next week for treatment. Aides said the King’s condition was benign and he would be having a corrective procedure.
While the level of detail on Charles’s health is uncommon, royal sources said he was ‘very keen’ to share his condition with the country to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked in line with public health advice.
Cancer charities last night thanked the 75-year-old monarch for helping to ‘shine a light’ on prostate conditions, which are often seen as taboo, by breaking royal tradition and opening up about his diagnosis.
It comes after one of the King’s close friends – former TV presenter Robin Page, 80 – died in May last year after an 18-month battle with prostate cancer.
King Charles attends the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church
The former Prince of Wales, King Charles III, visited Robin Page in Barton in 2003
The statement about Charles’ health released on Wednesday by Buckingham Palace
Ali Orhan, chief executive of Orchid, the UK’s leading charity for men affected by cancer, said: ‘Anything that shines a light on prostate conditions like this can only be a good thing.
‘With a figurehead such as King Charles coming forward and speaking so openly about this condition, it helps to normalise it.
‘It shows men that this illness is not a sign of weakness, even a King can have a condition like this.
He added: ‘It also shows men that it doesn’t always have to be cancer and will drive more men to seek help if they have any symptoms.’
Oliver Kemp, chief executive of Prostate Cancer Research, said: ‘King Charles is absolutely right to encourage men to follow up on any symptoms they experience with their GP.
‘Fortunately, this case is benign, but one in eight men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetimes.
‘It is always better to get checked out quickly and reduce the risk of any problems becoming more serious. We wish His Majesty a speedy recovery.’
Charles will likely miss out on celebrating Burns Night, performing Investitures and had ‘meetings planned at Dumfries House tomorrow’ – after it was announced he will attend hospital next week to be treated for his enlarged prostate.
Charles had a series of meetings and events planned at Dumfries House tomorrow and Friday, which are now being postponed on doctor’s advice. Guests, including foreign dignitaries and Cabinet members, had been due to travel to the events.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla at church in Sandringham on Christmas Day last month
King Charles III during his visit to Flitcham Church of England Primary Academy on Friday January 5
The King’s public engagements will also be postponed for a short period of recuperation, Buckingham Palace said in its statement.
This could rule out the monarch holding any upcoming Investitures and also celebrating Burns Night on January 25, an annual holiday that toasts Scotland’s most famous poet Robert Burns. In the past, Charles has publicly marked the festivity.
Charles is also Patron of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and last year, the King and Queen welcomed survivors to an audience at Buckingham Palace to mark the day, which falls on Saturday 27th January.
If the procedure is carried out late next week, it seems likely that he will not be able to mark the day publicly.
So far, the King has been photographed out and about only three times this year – the first being a visit to Flitcham Church of England Primary Academy on January 5, where he opened its new library, named The Coronation Library in his honour.
After the trip to the school in Norfolk, he was seen attending a Sunday church service on January 7 at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham. He was also pictured heading to Crathie Kirk near Balmoral for church on January 14.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said at 3.30pm on 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.’
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral for church on January 14
After the trip to the school in Norfolk, he was seen attending a Sunday church service on January 7 at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham
It comes as Kensington Palace separately revealed yesterday that the Princess of Wales was being treated in hospital after undergoing successful abdominal surgery.
Kate, 42, was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for the planned procedure and is expected to remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days before returning home. She will then be recuperating and away from official duties for up to three months.
Kate is not expected to return to public events until after Easter, and her husband Prince William will combine being by his wife’s and children’s side throughout.
The two health updates on senior royals came within 90 minutes of each other, with Kensington Palace coming first at 2pm then Buckingham Palace followed at 3.30pm.
Kate was not rushed to hospital and her condition was not something that developed over the weekend, according to reports.
The Prince will also postpone a number of engagements as he supports his family, and will not undertake official duties while his wife is in hospital.
He will also do no official duties during the immediate period after Kate’s return home. Royal aides will provide a revised schedule for William in due course.
King Charles III is pictured in a portrait taken at Windsor Castle last year
Kate is close to her family, and her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and sibling Pippa Matthews and James Middleton are set to rally round and help support her recovery at the Waleses’ home in Windsor.
Neither William nor Kate will travel internationally over the coming months.
William and Kate were said to have been planning a high-profile visit to Rome this spring as part of a European charm offensive, but this is now in doubt.
The Princess marked her birthday just over a week ago, with the monarchy’s official social media accounts sharing a new behind-the-scenes photo of the princess at the King’s coronation.
Kate usually enjoys good health but was previously admitted to hospital while pregnant after suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum – severe morning sickness.
A palace spokesman said at 2pm on Wednesday: ‘Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery.
‘The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.
‘The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.
‘Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.
‘The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.’