King Charles III, the reigning monarch of Britain, has been diagnosed with cancer, as announced by Buckingham Palace on Monday. At 75 years old, the King will undergo treatment while continuing his state duties, without handing over his constitutional responsibilities.

The specific type of cancer has not been disclosed, although it is clarified that it is unrelated to his recent treatment for a benign prostate condition. The Palace revealed that a concerning issue arose during Charles' treatment for an enlarged prostate last month, during which he spent three nights in a London hospital.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace shared that King Charles III chose to disclose his diagnosis to prevent speculation and to aid understanding for those affected by cancer worldwide. He ascended to the throne in September 2022 following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned for 70 years.

This news arrives amidst Princess Kate's recovery from abdominal surgery, which led to her hospitalization for two weeks. While she continues to recuperate, her husband Prince William, next in line to the throne, has taken time off to care for their children but is scheduled to preside over official engagements soon.

Charles had envisioned a streamlined monarchy with fewer senior royals on public duty. However, with both him and Kate currently unavailable, along with Prince Harry living in California and Prince Andrew facing backlash due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein, the royal family's workload is under strain.

World Cancer Day 2024: Cancer Can Be Prevented and Controlled