King Charles's cancer diagnosis – everything we know as monarch undergoes treatment

King Charles is said to be staying positive following his shock cancer diagnosis.

At 6pm on Monday February 5, Buckingham Palace announced that Britain’s monarch had been diagnosed with “a form of cancer”.

It comes just 10 days after the King was admitted to hospital for a corrective procedure on a benign enlarged prostate.

Last night’s news, which was accompanied by a new picture of the King, has sparked intense speculation about the monarch’s health and the wider ramifications for the British monarchy.

Here Express.co.uk takes you through everything we know and what it means for the British Royal Family.

The Palace’s official statement said that King Charles had been diagnosed with a form of cancer – but they refused to go into the specifics. However, aides clarified that it is not prostate cancer.

The cancer was identified while the King was receiving treatment for his prostate last month. He was admitted to hospital on Friday January 26 and stayed in for three nights.

The Palace said that as part of that treatment “a separate issue of concern was noted, adding: “Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.”

Charles has already commenced “a schedule of regular treatments” having returned to London on Monday.

The King is said to be “wholly positive about his treatment” and grateful that medics caught it early.

Buckingham Palace have not disclosed what type of cancer King Charles has, though they did clarify it is not prostate cancer.

Aides have also not revealed where the King is undergoing out-patient treatment for the condition.

In a statement, it said: “No further details are being shared at this stage, except to confirm that His Majesty does not have prostate cancer.”

King Charles is insisting on working through his treatment, although he has cancelled all forward-facing public engagements to minimise any possible health risks.

But he will continue to undertake his weekly meetings with the Prime Minister and will continue to go through his government Red Box every day. The King is also looking at ways to commit to regular Privy Council meetings – the formal body of advisers to the monarch.

Buckingham Palace said: “His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.”

As a result, aides have emphasized that counsellors of state will not be appointed throughout his recovery.

These are the members of the Royal Family who are able to deputize for the monarch. It includes: Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice, Princess Anne and Prince Edward. Though the law states that only working royals are able to step in, which excludes Harry, Andrew and Beatrice.

With King Charles and the Princess of Wales out of action, as Kate continues to recover from her successful abdominal surgery at home, the bulk of royal duties will fall to the remaining senior royals.

Since the King’s original diagnosis for a benign enlarged prostate, the Queen has picked up the bulk of royal engagements and been the public face of the royal’s ‘keep calm and carry on’ mantra.

After the King was discharged from hospital last week, Camilla, 76, attended royal engagements every day and reassured fans during the King’s ongoing health battle.

The Queen, who is often affectionately referred to as “the King’s strength and stay”, will continue this approach over the coming weeks and months, and undertake a full programme of public duties while continuing to support her husband at home.

Meanwhile Prince William will return to royal duties on Wednesday after three weeks off work supporting his young family while his wife recovers from abdominal surgery.

The Prince of Wales, 41, will conduct an investiture at Windsor Castle and attend a fundraising gala that evening in central London.

Elsewhere, Princess Anne will undertake 12 engagements across the UK this week and Prince Edward will return to duties for three engagements on Thursday having taken a short break following his recent trips to St Helena and South Africa.

Yes, the Royal Family rarely goes into specifics about medical conditions as such matters are usually regarded as private.

However, when the King was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate he was keen to be open about it as he wanted to assist public understanding of the condition.

The Palace has adopted a similar approach with regards to the cancer diagnosis, and said: “His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.”

King Charles personally told his siblings and his children about the diagnosis.

He told Prince William, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew in person, and rang his son Prince Harry – who lives in California, USA.

William is said to be in regular communication with his father, and Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were pictured leaving Clarence House, the King’s London home, on Tuesday morning.

Charles has enjoyed relatively good health over his 75 years.

He was diagnosed with coronavirus twice during the pandemic, once in 2020 and again two years later. Both times the Palace said he had minor symptoms.

In 2008 he had a non-cancerous growth removed from the bridge of his nose in a minor, routine procedure, the Palace said. Prior to that he required treatment for a hernia operation in 2003.

Over the years he has also had a number of sporting issues from polo. This included needing stitches on his cheek, a broken arm and being knocked unconscious.

Prince Harry has already jumped on a plane from Los Angeles airport to London, to support his father through this difficult time. His wife Meghan Markle has decided not to join him, and will instead stay in California to look after their two children, Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two.

It is not known where the Duke of Sussex will stay while he is in the UK, as he no longer has his base of Frogmore Cottage.

It marks the first time Harry will have seen his father since the Coronation last May, as relations have been seriously strained in recent years. This is due to the series of attacks in Harry’s memoir Spare and the couple’s Netflix docu-series.

Buckingham Palace’s full statement: “During the King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.

“His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.

“Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.

“The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure.

“He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.

“His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.”