King Charles has 'protected Kate with clever strategy' amid double health scares
King Charles' unprecedented initial statement about his health was designed to protect the Princess of Wales as she also recovers from surgery, a royal expert has claimed.
In a highly unusual move, a double royal health scare was triggered last week when in the space of 90 minutes it was revealed Kate, 42, was in hospital following abdominal surgery, while the King was to be treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate. The nature of Kate's surgery has not been revealed, with Kensington Palace only saying it was non-cancer related. But in contrast, details of Charles' diagnosis has been made public, with the King keen to raise awareness of the condition, which is extremely common among men.
It was during his hospital stay that the Monarch's cancer was discovered. Buckingham Palace have not said what type of the cancer the King is being treated for but have confirmed it is not prostate cancer. King Charles started his treatment today after returning to London from Sandringham, 10 days after he was admitted to hospital.
All the Monarch's public duties are now cancelled for the foreseeable future although the King will still be reading the contents of his red boxes and remains "positive". The statement from Buckingham Palace reads: "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.
"His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual. The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible. His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer."
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The nature of the news about Kate and Charles coming in quick succession might have been a shock, royal expert and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop believes it may have actually been an obvious move - in order to protect Kate. She explained to the Mirror: "It is highly unusual for the Royal Family to divulge private health matters. In that respect the shared information about the King's enlarged prostate was unprecedented, and it was also canny.
"Buckingham Palace doesn't do spontaneity; the release of a statement containing private matters about the King's health immediately after news of the Princess of Wales' major abdominal surgery was deliberate. The timing deflected from his daughter-in-law's major operation, likewise, the private detail concerning his prostate gave the public something else to think about. (The NHS website saw increased traffic on the subject).
"But beyond that obvious strategy, I believe there was something else at play. By sharing a slice of the personal, Charles's statement served to underline the absence of any real detail concerning Kate's condition. The protective King may as well have said 'Here, have some information on me, but keep your prying eyes away from my daughter-in-law.' Read side-by-side the statements are a powerful example of well-coordinated PR. Here was a modern, public service Royal Family, but one with very clear boundaries."
Kate is not believed to be resuming royal duties again until after Easter. And Tessa believes Kate would have been keen to apologise for any upcoming diary entries that will have to be rearranged. She added: "That the seventy-five-year-old King felt able to share information about a common 'old man' ailment is understandable. If anything it underscores his 'father-of-the-nation' appeal.
"But for Kate, a woman in the prime of her life, whose identity has long been staked around her can-do attitude and impressive physique, abdominal surgery is a different matter. It is all credit to Kate that when Kensington Palace announced the princess wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements' we knew she meant every word. The Princess of Wales knows her own value in the public space and will be keen to get back to work. But first, she has to fully recover."
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