LONDON:
Britain’s royal family has faced a double health scare as King Charles III faces treatment for an enlarged prostate and his bride, Catherine, Princess of Wales, recovers from abdominal surgery.
Separate announcements came within 90 minutes of each other from Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, in a rare display of transparency from royal officials about personal health matters. The 75-year-old royal will be hospitalized next week, while Catherine, often known as Kate, was admitted to a private London clinic on Tuesday. He now faces up to two weeks in hospital and several months recovering from the operation, which the palace says is not cancer-related.
Charles has shed his role as king after succeeding his mother Queen Elizabeth II upon her death in September 2022, at a time when most men his age have retired. He is the head of state of 14 other countries outside the United Kingdom, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, and heads the 56-member Commonwealth of Nations, which includes 2.4 billion people.
He is also the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the mother church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. His last public appearance was with other senior royals, including Kate, at a Christmas Day service at his Sandringham estate in eastern England.
“Like thousands of men every year, the King sought treatment for an enlarged prostate,” the palace statement said. “His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will go to hospital next week for a corrective procedure. The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recovery.”
Benign prostate enlargement is common in men over the age of 50 and is not normally considered a serious health threat or an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. If the prostate gland is enlarged, it can put pressure on the bladder and urethra, affecting urination.
The causes of prostate enlargement are unknown, but they are thought to be linked to hormonal changes with age, according to the UK’s National Health Service. Charles wanted to share details of his diagnosis to encourage other men to get tested if they have similar symptoms, UK royal correspondents said.
Postponement
Kate – one of the most popular and photographed members of the royal family – is married to Charles’ eldest son and heir, Prince William. Her surgery was “successful and she is expected to remain in the hospital for ten to fourteen days before returning home to continue her recovery,” a statement said. “Based on current medical advice, he is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter (March 31).
In the latest poll, they are the third most popular living royal family, with a public approval rating of 63%, behind William (68%) and King Charles III’s sister, Princess Anne (67%). Queen Elizabeth II remains the most popular, with 75%, according to YouGov. The king’s rating was 51%.
Kate, 42, is often seen alongside William, 41, with whom she has three young children — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five. However, she is increasingly making solo public engagements, particularly in her core areas of interest, such as early childhood education.
At The London Clinic, one of the UK’s largest private hospitals, two police officers stood guard at the main entrance as photographers and film crews gathered.
Kensington Palace added: “The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. “She hopes the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normalcy as possible for her children. and wishes to keep her personal medical information private. As such, Kensington Palace will only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’s progress when there is significant new information to share.”
The statement added: “The Princess of Wales wishes to apologize to all concerned for having to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to bringing back as many as possible, as soon as possible.”
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