King Charles, 75, was at his private home in Balmoral when he was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate after attending a check-up earlier this week – as doctors 'expect the monarch to remain in hospital overnight before returning to normal the work goes'

By Mark Duell and Chris Matthews

Published: 10:30 EST, January 17, 2024 | Updated: 12:39 EST, January 17, 2024

King Charles III was at his private residence in Balmoral when he was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate.

He will go to hospital next week to be treated for an enlarged prostate.

Aides said the king's condition was benign and he would undergo a corrective procedure. His engagements will be postponed for a short period of recovery.

He is believed to be staying at his private home, Birkhall, on the Balmoral estate, where he was diagnosed today.

While the level of detail about Charles' health is unusual, royal sources said he was keen to share details of his diagnosis to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked, in line with public health advice.

It comes after Kensington Palace said separately at 2pm that the Princess of Wales was being treated in hospital following a successful abdominal operation.

The two announcements came just 90 minutes apart, with Buckingham Palace making the statement on Charles' health at 3.30pm this afternoon.

King Charles III arrives on January 7 to attend St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive for church at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral on January 14

Charles had a series of meetings and events planned at Dumfries House in Ayrshire tomorrow and Friday, which have now been postponed on doctor's advice.

Guests, including foreign dignitaries and members of the Cabinet, were due to travel to Scotland.

Royal officials are said to have made the announcement this afternoon to alert them to the situation.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said at 3.30pm today: 'Like thousands of men every year, the King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate.

“His Majesty's condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure. The King's public appearances will be postponed for a short period of recovery.”

The 75-year-old monarch acceded to the throne just 16 months ago, after spending 70 years as heir apparent, and was crowned at Westminster Abbey last May.

Royal expert Phil Dampier tweeted: 'Today's medical news about the King and Princess of Wales reminds us that they are people with the same problems as the rest of us.

Charles will visit Flitcham Church of England Primary Academy in Norfolk on January 5

King Charles III and Queen Camilla at church in Sandringham on Christmas Day last month

“Let the usual suspects complain about getting better treatment. But the point remains.'

As for Kate, 42, she was admitted to the London Clinic in Marylebone yesterday for the planned procedure and is expected to remain in hospital for ten to 14 days.

The future queen will then return to Windsor to continue her recovery with the support of her family, Kensington Palace said. It is not believed to be cancer.

The princess is likely to be advised to recover for two to three months, and her return to official duties will depend on medical advice closer to the time.

Kate is not expected to return to public events until after Easter, and her husband Prince William will be by his wife and children's side throughout.

According to reports, she was not rushed to the hospital and her condition was not something that developed over the weekend.

King Charles III is depicted in a portrait taken at Windsor Castle last year

The prince will also postpone a number of appointments to support his family, and will not take on any official duties while his wife is in hospital.

He will also not perform any official duties in the immediate period following Kate's return home. Royal aides will provide a revised schedule for William in due course.

Kate has a close bond with her family, and her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and siblings Pippa Matthews and James Middleton will join her and help support her recovery at the Waleses' home in Windsor.

Neither William nor Kate will be traveling internationally in the coming months.

William and Kate were said to be planning a high-profile visit to Rome this spring as part of a European charm offensive, but that is now in doubt.

What is an enlarged prostate?

An enlarged prostate is common in men over the age of 50 and does not usually pose a serious health threat, according to the NHS.

Referred to by doctors as benign prostate enlargement (BPE), the condition is not cancer and people who suffer from it are not at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.

The symptoms are often mild but can be 'very troublesome' for some, the NHS website says.

When the prostate becomes enlarged, it can put pressure on the bladder and urethra, the tube through which urine passes.

This can cause someone to urinate more often and get into trouble.

It is not entirely clear why some men develop the condition, but it is believed to be related to hormonal changes as a man ages.

According to the NHS, patients may need to undergo various tests to rule out the condition to rule out the possibility that they have another disease, such as prostate cancer.

Some of these tests can be carried out by a GP, but others may need to be carried out in hospital.

People with mild symptoms usually do not require immediate treatment and a doctor will decide whether to continue to monitor the patient from time to time.

They may be advised to drink less, consume fewer artificial sweeteners and exercise more often.

Medicines to reduce the size of the prostate and relax a patient's bladder may be recommended to treat moderate to severe symptoms.

Surgery is usually only recommended for people with moderate to severe symptoms who have not responded to treatment, the NHS site says.

The condition can cause urinary infections, as well as chronic and acute urinary retention.

Chronic urinary retention is when someone cannot empty their bladder completely.

It is usually painless, but can stretch and weaken the bladder muscle.

Acute urinary retention (AUR) occurs when a person suddenly becomes unable to urinate at all.

It also causes pain in the lower abdomen and swelling of the bladder that a patient can feel with their hands.

Anyone with symptoms of AUR should go to the emergency room immediately.

King Charles, 75, was at his private home in Balmoral when he was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate after attending a check-up earlier this week – as doctors 'expect the monarch to remain in hospital overnight before returning to normal the work goes'

What is an enlarged prostate?

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