BY: JAEQWON SUAREZ / DEPUTY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
On Monday, February 5, Britain's King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer and will step from his public-facing duties for the time being to focus on his health. This news was announced by Buckingham Palace for the public to be informed.
King Charles, who is now 75 years old, has had good health and has often been on his long walks to the countryside. While he did contract the Coronavirus twice, once in 2020 and then again in 2022, he was able to recover from it both times.
The update on his cancer had come from his recent visit to a London Hospital, for which he was originally there for a procedure for an enlarged prostate. Tests were then carried out and it was revealed that King Charles III had some form of cancer. A royal source told CNN that it is not prostate cancer, but the public has yet to receive any more details about his illness.
The King has spent three nights at the London Clinic, which is a private hospital near Regent’s Park. The Palace stated, “His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties”. He has since been reported as doing well since then.
The Buckingham Palace also continued to express how grateful the King was for his medical staff. “The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible” as reported by CNN.
The King was seen out in public looking healthy on Sunday since his treatments with his wife, Queen Camilla with him as he waved to the public. The royal source also added that King Charles III is back from Sandringham where he will be an outpatient to the London clinic.
However, if he were to become too ill to carry out his duties, he would have to delegate his duties to two or more Counsellors of State, which currently include: Camilla, William, Harry, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Prince Andrew, and Princess Beatrice.
Since his step-down, it was reported that Prince William, who is next in line for the throne, will be returning to public duties once his wife recovers from her abdominal surgery.
The Buckingham Palace concluded their announcement by explaining why they decided to release the King’s well-being in the first place.
“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,” Buckingham Palace concluded in their statement.
The King has received support from officials around the world, one of them being President of the United States Joe Biden, who was concerned for the king. President Biden expressed in a statement “I’m concerned about him. Just heard about his diagnosis,” and that hopefully he will be able to talk to the King sometime soon.
Other International leaders, such as ones from Canada, Australia, and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed their support for a speedy recovery for King Charles III.
President Macron tweeted on X, “Wishing His Majesty King Charles III a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with the British people.”
However, if the King’s condition were to worsen, his power and duties could be withdrawn under the 1937 law and passed on to the next person in line for the throne, again Prince William.