Buckingham Palace confirmed this Monday that monarch Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer, detected during his recent prostate operation, and that he has already started a series of “regular treatments.”
“His Majesty has begun a program of regular treatments today, during which time doctors have advised him to postpone his public duties,” reads a statement released by the British royal family along with a new photograph of the monarch.
Thus, Carlos III has expressed his gratitude to the medical team for their quick intervention, facilitated thanks to the recent surgical intervention for an enlarged prostate that he underwent just a few days ago.
Buckingham stressed that the monarch “remains entirely positive about the treatment received and looks forward to returning to full public duties as soon as possible.”
Finally, the royal family has highlighted that Charles III has chosen to announce this news to avoid speculation and in the hope that it will contribute to raising awareness about cancer. Buckingham, however, has not detailed what type of cancer he suffers from.
The heir to the throne, Prince William, has been personally informed by his father, with whom he maintains regular contact. William had temporarily suspended his public engagements after his wife, Catherine of Wales, also underwent surgery.
For his part, according to the British press, Duke Henry of Sussex, the monarch’s youngest son, has contacted his father and could travel in the coming days from the United States, where he resides after resigning from representing the monarchy.
BRITISH REACTIONS
One of the first political reactions has been that of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has wished a quick recovery to the king, who he does not doubt will “recover his strength in a short time.” “I know that the whole country will wish him the best,” he said on his social networks.
The leader of the opposition, Labor’s Keir Starmer, has expressed himself in the same terms and has extended his support to the monarch “on behalf of the entire Labor Party.” “We hope to see him quickly recover to health,” he noted.
For their part, the chief ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Humza Yousaf, Mark Drakeford and Michelle O’Neill, respectively, have shown their support for the monarch and the rest of the British Crown at a “worrying time for everyone” .
“I am very sorry to learn of King Charles’ illness and I wish him the best in his treatment and a speedy and complete recovery,” the new Northern Irish Prime Minister, Republican Michelle O’Neill, has published on the social network X.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also dedicated a few words of support to Charles III and wished him a speedy recovery, as has his successor, Liz Truss, who says that the monarch will be in the “thoughts and prayers” of the British people.
Tony Blair, who held the position between 1997 and 2007, also wished the monarch “a full, speedy recovery and return to excellently good health.”
After hearing the news, the House of Commons paused to wish the king a “successful treatment.” “I know that the whole House will want to join me in expressing our support for His Majesty the King,” said the Speaker of the House, Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
INTERNATIONAL REACTION
At the international level, the first to react was the president of the United States, Joe Biden, who has expressed his concern. “I just found out about his diagnosis,” Biden explained from Las Vegas after being questioned by journalists. “I’m worried about him. I hope to be able to talk to him soon,” he added, according to the BBC.
Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump, has posted on his personal social network, Truth Social, that the British king is “a wonderful man.” “I got to know him well during my presidency. We all pray that he makes a quick and full recovery!” he said.
The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has agreed to wish him a “speedy and full recovery”, “as do all Canadians in the country and around the world.” Charles III is formally the head of state of Canada.
Christopher Luxon, head of government of another former British colony, New Zealand, wished the monarch “all the best and a speedy recovery on behalf of all Kiwis.” “Kia Kaha, King Charles”, “Be strong, King Charles”, he has added in Maori.
The last public image of Charles III is from this Sunday, when he attended a religious event with Queen Consort Camilla in Norfolk, at the eastern end of the island of Great Britain. This was his first appearance after prostate surgery.
Charles III, 75, ascended to the British throne after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022, after more than 70 years of reign. It was not until early May last year that his coronation was officially held in London.
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