Royal expert explains why Charles shares health, Kate chooses privacy
While King Charles III And Princess Kate Middleton have taken different approaches when it comes to sharing details of their recent health battles, royal expert Gareth Russell only tells We weekly that neither is wrong.
“Just because one patient is comfortable talking about their health in a certain way doesn't mean both patients should do the same,” says Russell. “If we step back from the royal aspect of things for a moment, patient privacy is still a very important and fundamental right.”
Russell notes that Charles, 75, and the Princess of Wales, 42, have “very different types of illnesses,” which mean they undergo “very different types of treatments.”
The palace confirmed on Monday, February 5, that the monarch had been diagnosed with cancer, while in January it was announced that Kate had been admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery. She has since returned home but is not expected to return to her “public duties” until after Easter.
“So there's a lot more to suggest that the Princess of Wales underwent quite serious surgery, as she mentioned in her statement, and there was an unexpected element to it,” Russell says. “She was very apologetic in that statement to people whose events she would have to cancel if she were to attend.”
Russell adds that public figures – including royals – are sometimes expected to “do everything in a second” in an attempt to “mitigate internet speculation”, but that may not be beneficial to them.
King Charles III, Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Getty Images (2)“Sometimes, when you're a patient, even if you have the ability to increase awareness, you may still be processing some of this on your own,” he says. “You might want to do it on your own schedule.”
A week after Buckingham Palace shared that Charles had been released from hospital following a procedure for an enlarged prostate, it was announced that the monarch had been diagnosed with cancer.
“During The King's recent hospital procedure for a benign prostate enlargement, another area of concern was noted,” the statement said. “Subsequent diagnostic testing identified a form of cancer.”
Several British royals have been diagnosed with various forms of cancer since the start of their family's reign. Buckingham Palace announced in February 2024 that King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer a week after being admitted to the London Clinic to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate. “During The King's recent hospital procedure […]
Although the site did not share what type of cancer Charles was diagnosed with, nor did they reveal what stage of cancer it was, royal reports have made it clear that he does not have prostate cancer.
“His Majesty today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public duties,” the statement continued. “During this period, His Majesty will continue to conduct state affairs and official paperwork as usual.”
The palace added that Charles “is grateful to his medical team” and that he “remains entirely positive about his treatment,” hoping to return to “full public duties as soon as possible.”
“His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to avoid speculation, in the hope that this can increase public understanding for everyone around the world affected by cancer,” the statement concluded.
With reporting by Christina Garibaldi