British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his shock and sadness upon learning that King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer. However, Sunak is relieved that the illness was detected early on.
The announcement from Buckingham Palace revealed that the king has already begun outpatient treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. Although the condition was discovered during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate, it is not related to that particular health issue.
Sunak, in an interview with BBC radio, shared, "Thankfully, this has been caught early, and as the prime minister, I will continue to communicate with him as normal." He also added that the king will be in their thoughts and prayers. Sunak acknowledged that many families across the country have experienced similar situations and understand the significance of this news. He expressed hope for a swift recovery and encouraged support for King Charles during this difficult time.
Despite only 18 months into his reign, the 75-year-old monarch has decided to suspend public engagements. However, he will carry on with state affairs, including his regular meetings with the prime minister. He is determined to fulfill his constitutional duties as the head of state.
The palace emphasized that King Charles, who has generally enjoyed good health, remains positive about his treatment and eagerly anticipates resuming his full public duties as soon as possible.
This news involving the king's health diagnosis follows another health-related incident within the royal family. Princess Kate of Wales recently underwent abdominal surgery, resulting in her hospitalization for approximately two weeks. As she continues to recover, she is taking a break from her royal responsibilities. Her husband, Prince William, heir to the throne, has temporarily stepped away from his duties to provide support to Kate and take care of their three children. However, he is expected to preside over an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle and attend a charity dinner on Wednesday.
Prince Harry to Visit UK as King Charles Receives Cancer Treatment
Prince Harry, the younger son of the king who stepped down from royal duties in 2020, is set to travel to the UK to visit his father, King Charles, who has recently been diagnosed with cancer. The prince, currently residing in California with his wife Meghan, has expressed his concern and the urgency of the matter. British media has reported that Prince Harry is en route from Los Angeles and is expected to arrive in the coming days.
The king's diagnosis comes at a challenging time for the royal family, as both Prince Charles and his wife Duchess Camilla are temporarily sidelined due to their health concerns. Additionally, Prince Andrew remains largely hidden from the public eye due to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. These factors pose the risk of stretching the capabilities of the royal "Firm."
During King Charles' treatment, Prince William and Queen Camilla are anticipated to assume additional public engagements to support the monarchy. At present, there are no plans in place to appoint "counsellors of state" to fulfill constitutional duties on behalf of the monarch, such as signing legislation and welcoming ambassadors.
The global community has shared their well wishes for King Charles' recovery, including US President Joe Biden, who tweeted a message of support. This illness marks yet another instance where King Charles breaks from royal traditions by openly discussing his prostate condition and sharing limited information about his cancer diagnosis. Buckingham Palace explained that the king's decision to disclose his diagnosis aims to prevent speculation and promote public understanding for those affected by cancer worldwide.
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