Prince William and King Charles at the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph on November 12, 2023 in London.Photo:Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Prince Williammay take on some ofKing Charles’ royal responsibilities as he postpones public duties after beingdiagnosed with cancer.
The palace revealed on Monday that the King, 75, is getting cancer treatment. The diagnosis came shortly after the monarch underwent a procedure totreat an enlarged prostateon Jan. 26.
King Charles stepped away from public duties amid his recovery from prostate surgery, and it’s not known when he will return to royal engagements following his cancer diagnosis. PEOPLE understands he will continue toreceive red boxes, the monarch’s daily delivery of documents needing his attention, and process state documents during his treatment.
While heirs in other royal families around the world sometimes act as regents when the monarch is unwell or abroad, the case is different in the U.K. According to theHouse of Commons Library,regentsare only instated permanently in Britain.
As previously announced, the Prince of Wales willreturn to royal workthis week after taking time to care for his wife,Kate Middleton, who hadabdominal surgeryon Jan. 16 andreturned home to recoverlast Monday. On Wednesday, he is set to host a morning investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle and attend the annual fundraising gala for the London Air Ambulance later in the day.
King Charles and Prince William at the Royal Ascot in June 2019.Anwar Hussein/WireImage
Anwar Hussein/WireImage
PEOPLE understands that other working members of the royal family will also continue with public duties during this time. This means that the public might see more ofQueen Camilla,Princess Anne,Prince EdwardandSophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.
However, Princess Kate, 42, will be out of the public eye for a few months.
“Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties after Easter,” Kensington Palace said in announcing that she had had surgery on Jan. 17.
The monarch’s cancer news comes one week after heleft the London Clinicfollowing a three-day stay after undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate. However, he does not have prostate cancer.
“During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer,” Buckingham Palacesaid in a statementon Monday.
King Charles returned to London from Sandringham on Monday to commence treatment as an out-patient.
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PEOPLE understands that the sovereign told his sons,Prince WilliamandPrince Harry, about the diagnosis himself. A source says William is in regular contact with his father while Harry, 39, who relocated to California with his wife,Meghan Markle, in 2020, is expected to travel to the U.K. in the coming days.
The King also personally informed his siblings,Princess Anne,Prince AndrewandPrince Edward, before the news was made public.
King Charles was last seen attending church on Sunday at St. Mary Magdalene Church near Sandringham withQueen Camilla. Itmarked the monarch’s first outingsinceleaving the hospitalon Jan. 29, where he gave a wave to well-wishers on his way out of the private clinic.
source: people.com
