Buckingham Palace revealed on Monday that King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer less than 15 months after ascending to the throne.

The shocking revelation follows a recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, during which a separate issue of concern was identified. Subsequent diagnostic tests confirmed the presence of a form of cancer.

Read also: King Charles III nonstop party ahead of 75th birthday

The 75-year-old monarch has commenced a schedule of regular treatments, prompting doctors to advise him to postpone public-facing duties. However, the palace reassured the public that King Charles would continue to undertake state business and official paperwork throughout this period.

The palace statement expressed gratitude to the medical team for swift intervention, made possible by the recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement. The specific type of cancer was not disclosed, respecting the king’s privacy.

Despite the diagnosis, King Charles III remains wholly positive about his treatment and eagerly anticipates returning to full public duty as soon as possible. The decision to share his diagnosis was made to prevent speculation and to contribute to public understanding of those around the world affected by cancer.

Queen Camilla has been a constant presence by the king’s side, and the royal couple left the London Clinic on January 29, 2024, after the treatment for benign prostate enlargement.

No specific timeline for King Charles’s return to royal duties was provided, as all public engagements have been temporarily put on hold. Prostate cancer, the most common type in the US and the second leading cause of cancer death among adult men remains a significant health concern. In the UK, more than a third of new prostate cancer cases occur in individuals aged 75 and older, according to the National Health Services (NHS).