King Charles diagnosed with cancer

King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer and is suspending his public engagements to undergo treatment, casting a shadow over a busy reign that began less than 18 months ago after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The announcement, made by Buckingham Palace on Monday evening, came a week after the 75-year-old sovereign was discharged?from a London hospital, following a?procedure?to treat an enlarged prostate.

The palace did not disclose what form of cancer Charles has, but a palace official said it was not prostate cancer. Doctors detected the cancer during that procedure, and the king began treatment on Monday.

News of Charles? diagnosis reverberated through Britain, which after seven decades of Elizabeth?s reign, has begun to get comfortable with her son. Having waited longer to ascend the throne than anyone in the history of the British monarchy, he was a familiar figure, with a personal life relentlessly dissected by the British media.

As king, however, Charles has become a confident elder statesman, putting a subtle but unmistakable stamp on the monarchy. He has traveled widely and spoken out on issues like climate change that have long been important to him.

Anxiety for Charles mixed with hope that he would recover swiftly. But in the absence of details about his condition, there was, inevitably, speculation, as royal watchers parsed the palace?s four-paragraph announcement.

?During the king?s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted,? the palace said. ?Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer. His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.?

Palace officials said the king would continue to carry out other duties, including his weekly meeting with the prime minister, as well as the daily pile of paperwork he completes as Britain?s head of state. Officials said there were no plans to appoint counselors of state to act in his place ? a procedure that could signal that the sovereign was unable to fulfill his duties because of illness.

The palace said Charles ?remains wholly positive about his treatment? and that he looked forward to resuming public engagements. He returned to London from his country residence, Sandringham, to begin treatment as an outpatient, palace officials said.

Charles, who ascended to the throne in September 2022, has generally been in good health. As a schoolboy, he suffered from recurring tonsillitis, but as an adult, he enjoyed vigorous sports like hiking, polo and skiing.

The king?s disclosure of the prostate treatment, and now of his cancer diagnosis, is unusual for the royal family, whose members often reveal little about their health. After the queen?s death at 96, the palace issued her death certificate, which listed her cause of death simply as ?old age.?

Still, palace officials on Monday made clear that they would not issue regular updates on the king?s condition, and they asked reporters not to attempt to contact those involved in his treatment.

The palace said in its statement that the king had chosen to share his diagnosis ?to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.? (New York Times)