Royal U.K. officials announced that King Charles III is being treated for cancer. The diagnosis, disclosed Monday, Feb. 5, comes just over a year into his reign after the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
President Joe Biden and other world leaders reacted to the announcement of King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis. According to the BBC, President Biden told reporters that he is concerned about the diagnosis and went onto say he would talk to King Charles III.
U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also reacted to the news on social media.
“Wishing his majesty a fully and speedy recovery,” Sunak wrote. “I have no doubt he’ll be back to full strength in no time, and I know the whole country will be wishing him well.”
The cancer diagnosis was announced by Buckingham Palace. Royal officials said the cancer was discovered during treatment for an enlarged prostate, which is a separate issue from the cancer. Officials emphasized the enlarged prostate is benign but did not disclose the type of cancer King Charles III discovered.
Charles’ prostate treatment was announced on Jan. 17, which involved a three-day stay at a London Hospital. Charles was released from the hospital on Jan. 29, according to CNN.
If Charles were to abdicate the throne, his son, Prince William, would become king. However, the palace said there is no plan for Charles to postpone his state duties. Buckingham Palace did say that King Charles III will postpone his public duties, under the advisement of doctors. According to the statement from Buckingham Palace, Charles “looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”
King Charles is said to have chosen to publicly disclose the diagnosis to avoid speculation and raise awareness for those impacted by cancer around the world. His announcement is unlike his grandfather’s, King George VI, who died of lung cancer in 1952 but did not share his diagnosis with the British public. King George VI died at the age of 56.
Buckingham Palace said that King Charles III has begun a schedule of “regular treatments.” The statement added, “The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.