Charles shares cancer diagnosis as he takes a step back from public duties – latest

What type of cancer has the King been diagnosed with?

The King has been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer. Buckingham Palace said that during Charles’ recent procedure for a benign prostate enlargement a “separate issue of concern” was noted.

What kind of diagnostic tests were performed?

Details of the type of test have not been divulged but diagnostic tests for cancer can involve blood tests, scans and biopsies.

The palace has confirmed that Charles started “a schedule of regular treatments” but did not give any further details.

The King is still able to “undertake state business and official paperwork as usual”, officials said.

They added that he remains wholly positive about his treatment” and “looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible”.

Members of the media gathered outside Buckingham Palace this morning, following the announcement of King Charles’ cancer diagnosis on Monday evening.

The King has been diagnosed with an unknown form of cancer and has begun a schedule of regular treatments. While he has postponed public duties he “remains wholly positive about his treatment”, Buckingham Palace said.

The Prince of Wales, the Queen and other working royals will step up their royal duties while the King undergoes treatment for a form of cancer.

Buckingham Palace has confirmed a number of the King’s forthcoming public engagements will have to be rearranged or postponed, but he will continue to “undertake state business and official paperwork as usual”.

Other members of the royal family are expected to continue with a full programme of public engagements and may undertake some additional duties on behalf the King if they are required to do so.

Usually the duty would fall to William in the first instance, who has recently returned to royal duties after the Princess of Wales underwent major abdominal surgery last month.

He will host an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday and that evening will attend the London Air Ambulance annual fundraising gala in central London, Kensington Palace said.

Camilla will also continue with a full programme of public duties while her husband is treated, the Palace said.

Prince Harry is expected to arrive in the UK today after being spotted at Los Angeles Airport following his father’s cancer diagnosis.

Royal Biographer Hugo Vickers said that his visit could be a “tonic” to King Charles as he undergoes regular treatment for an unknown form of cancer.

The feud in the royal family is “obviously an issue which has hung heavily over him,” he told Sky News.

He also said that the King’s approach to health marks a departure from the style of monarchs before him who instead chose to keep information private.

“George VI – we weren’t told that he had cancer,” Mr Vickers told the broadcaster.

“He had his lung removed, but it was all kept very, very quiet. By and large in the Queen’s reign, health matters were considered to be private, and you can understand that as well.”

Following the King’s shock diagnosis of an unknown form of cancer, Buckingham Palace said he would be postponing all public duties as he undergoes regular treatment.

While he is expected to continue state business, official paperwork and his weekly meetings with the prime minister, Prince William is likely to be undertaking some duties on his father’s behalf, it is understood.

If the King can no longer carry out his official duties, there is an official procedure in place to allow other members of the royal family to take his place.

Although they are not expected to be needed, Counsellors of State, can exercise power when a monarch cannot fulfil their duties as head of state under the Regency Act 1937.

A previous example of this was when Queen Elizabeth II asked Charles and Prince William to attend the State Opening of Parliament in her place in 2022.

The King’s Counsellors of State are his spouse and the first four adults in line to the throne, meaning they would be Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice.

King Charles will not let cancer stop him from carrying out his duties, a former royal butler has said.

Grant Harold, who worked for the royal family for several years, said Charles is someone who works “extremely hard” and “even this diagnosis will not stop him”.

Buckingham Palace announced on Monday that the King had been diagnosed with a form of cancer following treatment for an enlarged prostate.

In an interview with Sky News, Mr Harold said: “He’s somebody who will not let anything stop him, so when it comes to health, I am not surprised he said that behind the scenes he is going to carry on.

“Like his late mother, he is somebody who puts duty ahead of everything, and dare I say it, even above his health.”

Prince Harry is expected to arrive back in the UK today as he was spotted arriving at Los Angeles Airport following his father’s cancer diagnosis.

Pictures published by The Sun newspaper show Harry arriving at a private terminal in his black Range Rover to catch his urgent flight.

He is due to land in the UK at around midday to be with King Charles, 75, after he was diagnosed with an unknown form of cancer while undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate almost two weeks ago.

Meghan Markle is reportedly staying behind at their LA home with their children.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was left “shocked and sad” when he was told about the King’s cancer diagnosis.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “All our thoughts are with him and his family.

“Thankfully, this has been caught early.”

He said everyone will be hoping the King “gets the treatment that he needs and makes a full recovery”.

“That’s what we’re all hoping and praying for, and I’m of course in regular contact with him and will continue to communicate with him as normal.”

King Charles and his doctors are reportedly “very, very positive” about his cancer being caught early and good prognosis.

It was revealed last night that the King has been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer which was found while he was undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.

A family friend told the Mail Online that Charles was being “hugely positive”, adding: “From what I know he is up and about as usual and he is so positive that you wouldn’t know he even had a condition. Luckily it has, as far as anyone can tell, been caught very early.

“In terms of the treatment he is getting, the treatment for all cancers have come on in leaps and bounds in recent years. The specialist ones they conduct now are incredibly sophisticated. He and his doctors are very, very positive.”

A royal aide said that a number of the King’s public engagements would have to be rearranged or postponed as he starts regular treatment, but he will continue to undertake state business and official paperwork as usual.

Watch a live view of Buckingham Palace on Tuesday after King Charles announced he has been diagnosed with cancer.

The announcement on Monday came after the monarch, 75, underwent surgery for an enlarged prostate last month.

The palace has confirmed that Charles started “a schedule of regular treatments” but did not give any further details.

While the officials said Charles is still able to “undertake state business and official paperwork as usual”, Prince William is expected to shoulder some of his father’s responsibilities as he resumes official engagements this week.