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King Charles will attend hospital for surgery for an enlarged prostate, Buckingham Palace has said.
The 75-year-old’s condition’s is benign but he will have the corrective procedure at an unnamed hospital next week. All public engagements have been postposted for a short period.
The announcement comes on the same day it was revealed that the Princess of Wales was in hospital after undergoing abdominal surgery.
King Charles III, pictured here with Queen Camilla attending a Christmas day service in Norfolk, will attend hospital next week
(AP)
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “In common with thousands of men each year, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate.
“His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure. The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.”
Benign prostate enlargement is common in men aged over 50. It is not a cancer and usually does not pose a serious threat to health, the NHS states.
Symptoms can include difficulty emptying the bladder and it is usually diagnosed by a GP running tests, while treatment takes place depending how severe the symptoms are.
It’s not yet clear what the “corrective procedure” is – but treatment can include lasers, implants and even water injections.
King Charles was due to attend a series of meetings and events at Dumfries House tomorrow and Friday. It’s been reported that the announcement was made on Wednesday afternoon to allow guests, who were due to travel to Scotland, notice.
King Charles was pictured meeting school children in West Norfolk on Friday, 5 January
(PA)
The monarch took to the throne following the death of his mother, Elizabeth II, in September, 2022. At the age of 73, he was the oldest person to take the crown. His coronation took place at Westminster Abbey in May last year.
It proved an eventful year at the throne for King Charles who delivered the opening statement at the Cop28 climate summit in Dubai in December. He strongly urged the world leaders to act before it was too late.
King Charles pictured attending a Sunday church service in Sandringham on Sunday, 7 January
(PA)
In his second Christmas message, he thanked the “selfless army” of volunteers in who he said were the “backbone” of British society.
The monarch was last pictured attending a Sunday church service with his family in Sandringham on Sunday, 7 January.
Meanwhile, Kate Middleton will spend up to two weeks in hospital after undergoing successful abdominal surgery. The 42-year-old was admitted to The London Clinic on Tuesday for the planned procedure.
The princess is likely to spend between two and three months recuperating and is not expected to return to public duties until after Easter.
The news has been met with some reacton on social media. Royal expert Phil Dampier said: “Today’s medical news about the King and Princess of Wales reminds us that they are human beings with the same problems as the rest of us.”
This is a breaking story – updates to follow
