King Charles III
London/New Delhi: Britain’s King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer, the Buckingham Palace has informed.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace, on February 5, 2024, described the “form of cancer” as “an issue of concern”, which was noted during the King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement.
“His Majesty has 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,” the Buckingham Palace stated. It said the King was “grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure”.
Charles has commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, he will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.
“He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible,” the statement said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today wished the King a speedy recovery and good health. He posted on X, “I join the people of India in wishing speedy recovery and good health to His Majesty King Charles III.”
Born on November 14 1948, the 75-year-old Charles took over the reign of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms ( Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu), on September 8, 2022 after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth. At the age of 73, he became the oldest person to accede to the British throne, after having been the longest-serving heir apparent and Prince of Wales in British history.
Meanwhile, Prostrate Cancer, UK, a non-governmental and non-profit organisation stated that while it was “saddened to hear of the King’s diagnosis with a form of cancer, which Buckingham Palace has disclosed is not prostate cancer”, it offered those with concerns about prostate health or prostate cancer to visit its website and take a 30-second risk checker: prostatecanceruk.org/risk.
– global bihari bureau
