King Charles III is diagnosed with cancer: Monarch, 75, postpones public duties and returns to London to begin treatment immediately after tests revealed he had a health condition while being treated for an enlarged prostate

King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer, Buckingham Palace announced in a statement this evening.

The 75-year-old monarch has returned to London from Sandringham to begin treatment immediately.

It is not related to his recent surgery and is not prostate cancer, but doctors noticed it when he underwent his medical procedure for an enlarged prostate.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement this evening: 'During The King's recent hospital procedure for a benign prostate enlargement, a separate area of ​​concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests identified a form of cancer.

“His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public duties. During this period, His Majesty will continue to conduct state affairs and official paperwork as usual.

'The King is grateful to his medical team for their quick intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains completely positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to his full public role as soon as possible.

“His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to avoid speculation and in the hope that it can increase public understanding for everyone around the world affected by cancer.”

Reacting to the news, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: 'Wishing His Majesty a full and speedy recovery.

“I have no doubt he will be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will wish him well.”

Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: 'On behalf of the Labor Party, I wish His Majesty all the best for his recovery.

“We look forward to seeing him back to full health soon.”

Commons Leader Sir Lindsay Hoyle told MPs: 'I know the whole House would like to join me in expressing our condolences to His Majesty The King following the news announcement this evening.

'Our thoughts are of course with His Majesty and his family, and we would all like to send him our very best wishes for a successful treatment and a speedy recovery following this evening's news.'

The diagnosis is also likely to be professionally devastating for Charles, who was the longest-serving heir apparent in British history before becoming king following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, on September 8, 2022.

Since then he has hit the ground running with three state visits abroad, two inbound state visits to Britain and hundreds of public appearances a year, taking on a heavy official workload well into his 70s.

Aides have said he has relished the challenge and is thoroughly enjoying his royal role.

The king's diagnosis will raise serious questions for the running of the monarchy, with lower-ranking members of the royal family and the Princess of Wales out of action for what has only been described as 'abdominal surgery' until after Easter.

The Prince of Wales, the heir apparent, had cleared his diary to be by his wife's side and keep life as normal as possible for their three children.

However, Kensington Palace announced earlier today that he would resume his public duties this week by holding an investiture at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, followed by a gala fundraising event for the London Air Ambulance in the evening.

Although Queen Elizabeth suffered periodic bouts of ill health over the years and underwent a number of surgeries, including on her knee and cataracts, there was no major health crisis of this magnitude until the very last months of her historic 70-year reign. .

However, that would have a serious knock-on effect on the Prince and Princess of Wales' family life.

They moved to Windsor 18 months ago to allow their children to enjoy a more carefree childhood, outside the royal bubble, until absolutely necessary.

Prince George, ten, second in line to the throne, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis all attend a local school. Lambrook, and have settled well into their new home, Adelaide Cottage.

William and Kate's team are still based at Kensington Palace in London, their official residence, and travel to Windsor for meetings.

Questions will inevitably be asked about how practical it will be for them to do this now.

The king enjoyed very good health for the most part throughout his life, apart from a cripplingly bad back.

The first sign that something was wrong with his health came on January 17 when Buckingham Palace made a surprise announcement that the king had “sought treatment” for an enlarged prostate.

The palace added that His Majesty's condition was “benign” and that he would go to hospital the following week for a corrective procedure.

They said he was personally keen to share details about his diagnosis to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get themselves checked.

The NHS subsequently reported an encouraging spike in the number of people seeking more information on their website.

His Majesty, who was in Scotland at the time, then traveled back to Sandringham and then to London the evening before his operation.

He was admitted to the London Clinic in Marylebone, central London, on January 26, with his wife, Queen Camilla, at his side.

Buckingham Palace said he wanted to thank everyone for their well wishes and was pleased to hear that his diagnosis was having a positive impact on public health awareness.

Last Monday he was finally released after three nights in hospital and was reportedly doing 'well'.

He initially lived at Clarence House, his London residence, to be close to his doctors, before returning to Sandringham with his wife.

Queen Camilla has continued to make public engagements, telling members of the public that her husband was “doing well” and looking forward to returning to work.

Last Tuesday, she told well-wishers that he was “doing well” and “doing his best,” adding, “Thank God!”

One in three men over the age of 50 will have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, including having to go to the toilet more frequently and urgently, and difficulty emptying the bladder.

An enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, usually does not pose a serious health threat and is not cancer.

But patients may need to undergo several tests to rule out the condition to rule out the possibility that they have another disease with similar symptoms, such as prostate cancer.

Surgery is usually only recommended for moderate to severe symptoms that have not responded to medications.