King Charles III, who underwent prostate surgery on January 26, is suffering from cancer, the nature of which has not been specified by the Palace.
The news broke late Monday afternoon, London time.
“During the King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostatic hyperplasia, another area of concern was noted,” the statement said. Subsequent diagnostic tests identified a type of cancer. »
The British daily The Telegraph wrote that when asked about the type of cancer involved, “a spokesperson replied: ‘At this time no further details will be given except to confirm that Her Majesty does not have prostate cancer.’ and that he sleeps at home and not in the hospital.”
A urologist interviewed by The Press nevertheless remains doubtful: King Charles has just undergone a prostate resection, he is 75 years old, prostate cancer is extremely common at his age and it is almost always treated by radiotherapy in this type of patient (which, most often end up dying of something else).
But it will likely remain between Charles and his doctor, and for now, it is the Palace’s version that is authentic.
“Her Majesty has begun a series of treatments which will be carried out on a regular basis,” the press release said.
The sovereign “remains completely optimistic and is already looking forward to resuming his official activities as soon as possible”.
Following the advice of his doctors, King Charles III will no longer be seen in public for a certain time and his public engagements “in person” will be postponed, it is specified.
On the other hand, assures the Palace, “His Majesty will continue to take care of state affairs” and see to his other affairs as usual.
His son Harry will travel to England
For several years now, King Charles III and Crown Prince William have been at odds with the youngest of the family, Harry, and with his wife Meghan Markle. From California, they spread confidences (to Oprah, on Netflix, in a biography, etc.) while distilling accusations of racism against unidentified members of the royal family.
PHOTO ANDY STENNING, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Prince Harry
Despite the quarrel, Prince Harry announced through the PA news agency that he had “spoken with his father King Charles III after his cancer diagnosis” and that “he will visit him in the next few days in the United Kingdom.
On the X network, the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, wished “a speedy recovery to the king”. “I have no doubt that he will quickly regain all his strength and I know that the entire country sends him its best wishes. » (History does not say whether the king’s salaries will allow him to maintain his weekly meetings with the English prime minister.)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he hopes Charles III “makes a speedy and full recovery.”
Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, expressed her “best wishes to His Majesty the King” who has “always led with passion and always inspired others to create a better world. […] We admire the strength and determination of the King in his fight against this disease.”
American President Joe Biden said he was “worried” about the sovereign.
For Charles and Kate, discretion, wherever possible
The silence of the Palace regarding the nature of King Charles’ cancer contrasts with its initial openness, when there was first talk of a trivial operation for an enlarged prostate. There is no mystery about that, with Buckingham even saying at that time that the king was “delighted to note that his diagnosis has the effect of raising public awareness of this public health problem”.
This time, it’s only “a form of cancer.”
The king’s daughter-in-law, Kate, who was also hospitalized at the same London Clinic for 13 days at the start of the year, for her part immediately opted for a very generic report. At most it had been revealed in his case that it was not cancer. The length of his convalescence – which will extend until early April – continues to raise concerns.
PHOTO ARCHIVES REUTERS
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales
Kate’s recovery and the king’s treatments come as the royal family has chosen to reduce the number of its representatives.
When Harry and his wife Meghan Markle revealed in 2019 their desire to take a break from royal commitments and then move to California, Queen Elizabeth II ended up cutting the cord. In January 2020, she decided that they would no longer be working members of the royal family.
Prince Andrew, the brother of Prince Charles, has also been withdrawn since a woman accused him of sexual abuse and his connections with Jeffrey Epstein were revealed.
With Kate at rest (and Crown Prince William often at her bedside and with their three children) and King Charles in treatment, Queen Camilla – who has never hidden that she would have much preferred to cultivate her garden in peace at the age when so many others are retired – risks being called upon to multiply. The same goes for Anne, Charles’ sister, who has had a star on her record for a long time because she is often the one who participates in the greatest number of official activities per year. The youngest in the family, Edward, and his wife Sophie may also be more visible in the coming months.
With Agence France-Presse