The Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer.
While the type of cancer has not been revealed, it was discovered during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The King began “regular treatments” on Monday and will postpone public duties during the treatment, the Palace said.
The King, 75, “remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible,” it added.
No further details are being shared on the stage of cancer or a prognosis.
The King informed both his sons personally about his diagnosis and the Prince of Wales was 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 commenced treatment as an outpatient.
Although he will pause his public events, the King will continue with his constitutional role as head of state, including paperwork and private meetings.
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 non-working royals.
The King was seen at a church service in Sandringham on Sunday. 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,” the Palace said on Monday.
The King chose to go 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.
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 Lyndsay Hoyle.
US President Joe Biden expressed his concern and said he would speak with the King.
