KING CHARLES’S CANCER CAUGHT EARLY BY DOCTORS, SAYS SUNAK
▶ British Prime Minister left ‘shocked and sad’ by diagnosis, as monarch’s treatment begins
King Charles’s cancer was “caught early”, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said yesterday, as he wished him a full recovery.
Mr Sunak said he was left “shocked and sad” when he was told about the king’s diagnosis.
“All our thoughts are with him and his family,” he said in a radio interview yesterday.
“Thankfully, this has been caught early.”
He said everyone would be hoping the king “gets the treatment that he needs and makes a full recovery”.
Prince Harry arrived in Britain yesterday to be with his father, despite their troubled relationship. The Duke of Sussex was pictured at Clarence House after boarding a flight on Monday at a private terminal at Los Angeles International Airport.
Prince William, Queen Camilla and other working royals will take on additional duties while the king undergoes treatment.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed a number of the king’s forthcoming public engagements will have to be rearranged or postponed.
In the event that a monarch is temporarily unable to undertake their duties as sovereign due to illness, two or more Counsellors of State can be appointed by Letters Patent to act in their place.
The palace suggested King Charles will continue to perform some of his duties, but how much he can do will depend on the progress of his treatment and the orders of his doctors. Other members of the royal family are expected to continue with a full programme of public engagements.
Usually, the king’s obligations would initially fall to the Prince of Wales, who recently returned to royal duties after his wife Kate underwent major abdominal surgery last month.
Cancer charities and health professionals have praised the king for being open about his diagnosis.
Prof Pat Price, founder of the Catch Up With Cancer campaign, said the outpouring of well wishes “reflects the collective concern we all share”.
Buckingham Palace announced King Charles’s diagnosis on Monday.
The palace did not say which type of cancer the monarch has, but confirmed that he does not have prostate cancer.
King Charles underwent scheduled surgery for an enlarged prostate late last month, and was discharged from hospital last week.
He returned to London from Sandringham on Monday and has already begun his treatment as an outpatient under the supervision of his specialist team of doctors.
The king has generally enjoyed good health, although he has been injured during sporting pursuits.
Previous health issues have included contracting coronavirus twice during the pandemic and being knocked unconscious after being thrown from his horse while playing polo.
He also narrowly escaped an avalanche that killed a close friend in 1988.
King Charles has been an advocate for alternative and complementary medicine, including homoeopathy.
He has urged health ministers to adopt a more holistic approach to tackling health problems.