Charles, Kate admitted to hospital

London – British head of state King Charles III has been treated for an enlarged prostate and will undergo a procedure in hospital next week, Buckingham Palace said yesterday.

The rare announcement about the monarch’s health comes after Kensington Palace said his daughter-in-law Catherine, Princess of Wales, had undergone successful abdominal surgery.

Catherine, often known as Kate, is facing up to two weeks in hospital and several months’ recuperation after the operation, which palace officials said was non-cancerous, without specifying further.

Charles, 75, became king on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022 after spending most of his life as her heir. Charles’ last public appearance was with other senior royals at a Christmas Day service at Sandringham.

“In common with thousands of men each year, the king has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate,” a palace statement read. “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.”

The announcement came some 90 minutes after the health bulletin about Kate, who is married to Charles’ eldest son and heir, Prince William.

Her office at Kensington Palace said she was admitted to a private clinic in central London on Tuesday. “The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery,” read a statement from her office.