17 January 2024 , 15:32
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King Charles will be admitted to hospital next week to be treated for an enlarged prostate, Buckingham Palace has said.
The monarch will undergo a corrective procedure for the benign condition with his public engagements postponed for a short period so he can recuperate, it has been confirmed. The news came just an hour-and-a-half after Kensington Palace announced that the Princess of Wales was recovering in hospital after undergoing abdominal surgery, and would be recuperating and away from official duties for up to three months.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement about the King: "In common with thousands of men each 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 engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation."
King Charles with Queen Camilla at Sandringham on Christmas Day (AFP via Getty Images)It is understood Charles was keen to share the details of his diagnosis to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked in line with public health advice. The King had a series of meetings and events planned at Dumfries House in East Ayrshire on Thursday and Friday, which are now being postponed on his doctor's advice.
Guests, including foreign dignitaries and members of the Cabinet, were due to travel to Scotland and the Palace made the announcement to allow for them to be made aware of the situation. The 75-year-old monarch acceded to the throne just 16 months ago after spending 70 years as the heir to the throne, and was crowned last May in Westminster Abbey.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
He was last seen on Sunday, when he was spotted driving himself and Queen Camilla to Crathie Kirk near Balmoral for a Sunday church service. He spent the Christmas and New Year period at Sandringham with the rest of the Royal Family before travelling north to Scotland to spend time at his home Birkhall, close to Balmoral.
The Princess of Wales is also receiving treatment in hospital (PA)News of Charles' upcoming hospital treatment came just an hour after it was revealed his daughter-in-law Kate, 42, was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for a planned procedure. The future Queen is expected to remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days before returning home to continue her recovery and she wishes to apologise for any upcoming engagements that she has had to postpone. The Palace refused to confirm what Kate was being treated for but confirmed the condition was non-cancerous.
It is understood that Prince William will curtail all public engagements while his wife is in hospital and immediately after she returns home after being discharged as well as scaling back duties afterwards as he supports Kate and their children. Kate is also close to her family, and her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and siblings Pippa Matthews and James Middleton are set to rally round and help support her recovery at the Waleses' home in Windsor.
A statement from Kensington Palace this afternoon said: "Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery.
"Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter. The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.
"Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness' progress when there is significant new information to share. The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible."