King Charles postpones public duties as cancer treatment begins
06 February, 2024
King Charles will postpone his public-facing duties while he is treated for cancer, Buckingham Palace says.
Prince William is expected to cover some duties on his behalf, in addition to his own diary of engagements.
The type of cancer has not been revealed - it is not prostate cancer, but was discovered during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The King began "regular treatments" on Monday and will postpone public duties during it, the Palace said.
Although he will pause his public events, the King will continue with his constitutional role as head of state, including paperwork and private meetings.
It is understood the King's weekly audiences with prime minister Rishi Sunak will continue and will be in person, unless doctors advise that he limits such contact. The Palace added that Charles "remains wholly positive" about his treatment and "looks forward" to returning to public duty. The King informed both his sons personally about his diagnosis and the Prince of Wales is said to be in regular contact with his father.
The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, who lives in the United States, spoke to his father and will be travelling to the UK to see him in the coming days.
The King returned to London from Sandringham in Norfolk on Monday morning and the palace says he has started treatment as an outpatient.
There is a constitutional mechanism for when the head of state is unable to carry out official duties - in that circumstance "counsellors of state" can be appointed to stand in for the monarch.
At present that includes Queen Camilla, Prince William, the Princess Royal, and Prince Edward. Prince Harry and the Duke of York are no longer called upon as they are non-working royals.
Prince William had also temporarily withdrawn from public engagements while he helped his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, as she recovered from abdominal surgery she had last month.
But it was announced earlier on Monday that he would return to public duties later this week.
The King was seen at a church service in Sandringham on Sunday, where he waved to crowds and walked for about 10 minutes.
He had a prostate procedure at a private London hospital more than a week ago.
At the time, the Palace said the treatment was for a "benign" condition.
"It was during this intervention that a separate issue of concern was noted and subsequently diagnosed as a form of cancer," it said on Monday.
The King chose to go public about his cancer treatment, the Palace said, as he had been a patron of a number of cancer-related charities when he was Prince of Wales.
"In this capacity, His Majesty has often spoken publicly in support of cancer patients, their loved ones and the wonderful health professionals who help care for them."
He had also gone public about his prostate treatment, with the aim of encouraging more men to get prostate checks.
He was said to have been delighted to have raised awareness about the issue, with the NHS website reporting a surge in issues about prostate conditions.
The Royal Society of Medicine thanked the King for highlighting "how cancer is indiscriminate" and urged members of the public eligible for cancer screenings to make an appointment.
"Please don't be shy - the more information we have the better to help - hopefully - rule out cancer or, if not, put you on the most suitable treatment pathway," its president, Dr Jay Verma, said.
One in two people in the UK develop some kind of cancer during their lifetime.
There are more than 200 types of cancer - the most common ones in the UK are breast, lung, prostate and bowel, according to the NHS website.
For many types of cancer, the chance of getting it increases with age. UK figures suggest, on average each year, more than a third (36%) of new cancer cases were in people aged 75 and over.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wished the King a "full and speedy recovery", as did Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
US President Joe Biden expressed his concern and said he would speak to the King.
In a post on X, he later said: "Navigating a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship takes hope and absolute courage. Jill and I join the people of the United Kingdom in praying that His Majesty experiences a swift and full recovery."
Mr Biden's son, Beau, died of brain cancer aged 46, and his long-time friend, Republican Senator John McCain, also died of cancer in 2018.
Charles acceded to the throne on the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, and his coronation took place the following May.
The King and Queen are scheduled to visit Canada in May, and Australia, New Zealand and Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October.
The Palace has yet to confirm whether the tours will go ahead, with no date suggested for the King's return to full public duties.
Source: www.bbc.com
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