Britain’s King Charles III has been admitted to a private hospital in London for scheduled treatment of an enlarged prostate, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Friday. The 75-year-old monarch, accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla, was seen entering The London Clinic, the same hospital where his daughter-in-law, Kate, the Princess of Wales, is recuperating from an unspecified abdominal surgery.
The Palace in its statement expressed gratitude for the public’s good wishes and highlighted the positive impact of the King’s diagnosis on public health awareness. “His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week,” the statement read, adding, “His Majesty is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness.”
Diagnosed with benign prostate hyperplasia, a common condition in men over 50, Charles’s treatment is expected to go smoothly. The Palace had earlier announced the King’s condition and the scheduled “corrective procedure,” emphasizing the routine nature of such treatments. It was noted that the King’s public engagements would be postponed for a short period for recuperation.
Police officers stand outside an entrance to The London Clinic in London, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Buckingham Palace says King Charles III been admitted to a private London hospital to undergo a “corrective procedure” for an enlarged prostate. The 75-year old king will be treated at the London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales is recovering after undergoing abdominal surgery. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
In a message aimed at reassuring the public and avoiding undue alarm, Buckingham Palace affirmed King Charles’s good condition. “His Majesty’s condition is good and he will be in hospital next week for a corrective procedure,” the statement elaborated.
The King’s health has generally been good, with a previous non-cancerous growth removed from his face in 2008. The Palace’s decision to share news of his prostate treatment aims to encourage other men to seek medical check-ups.
The news of King Charles’s hospitalization comes as the royal family continues to navigate a busy schedule. The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, is also in the same hospital recovering from her surgery, with expectations that she will resume her official duties after Easter.
The Palace has not provided a specific timeline for the King’s return to work but assures that further details on his health and adjustments to his official engagements will be forthcoming.
