King Charles III Battles Cancer

King Charles III has been diagnosed with a form of cancer and has begun treatment, Buckingham Palace said, just a week after he was discharged from hospital for prostate surgery.

The announcement prompted a flood of messages of support, with the 75-year-old monarch's estranged son Prince Harry saying he had spoken with the king about his diagnosis and would visit his father.

His younger son who now lives in California with his wife Meghan said he would travel to see the king in the UK over the coming days, a source close to Harry said.

Charles, who became king upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022, has generally enjoyed good health, barring injuries from polo and skiing.

But the palace said that during his recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement "a separate issue of concern was noted".

"Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer," the palace said in a statement, adding that he had begun treatment, but without elaborating on the type of cancer found or how advanced it was.

The palace said the king "remains wholly positive" and "looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible".

In the meantime he had been advised by doctors to postpone public duties although he would continue to "undertake state business and official paperwork as usual", it said.

The king won plaudits for being open about his benign prostate condition, with doctors saying many more members of the public had come forward with symptoms.

The palace added that Charles had chosen to share his cancer 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 diagnosis will prolong a frontline shortage of royals created by Charles's prostate procedure and the almost simultaneous hospitalization of Catherine, Princess of Wales.