The news, when it came, was as stark as anyone could have imagined. As a Buckingham Palace statement observed: ‘During the King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted.’ And then the line that cannot fail to produce a gulp of empathy. ‘Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.’

There had been rumours of ill health ever since the King went into hospital last month, but there are always rumours concerning the health of the Royal Family, most of which are little more than tittle-tattle. The recent discussion as to what is wrong with the Princess of Wales has been particularly unedifying in this regard.

Yet there is obviously something seriously wrong with the King, hence the gravity of this evening’s announcement. The statement went on to confirm that he will be beginning treatment and stepping back from all of his public duties, although there is no question of his abandoning the role altogether, even temporarily. Instead, it has been made clear that ‘throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.’ However, it has not been made clear as to what kind of cancer the monarch is suffering from, although it has been specified that it isn’t prostate-related.

There have been rumours of ill health swirling around Charles for some time

Then, after the usual boilerplate material about the King feeling positive and hoping to return to his public duties soon, the statement concludes by saying that ‘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’. It is likely that there will now be some speculation that the King may have suspected that something else was wrong when he went into the London Clinic recently for the prostate operation that led to the first headlines about his health.

QOSHE - What should Buckingham Palace do now? - Alexander Larman
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What should Buckingham Palace do now?

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05.02.2024

The news, when it came, was as stark as anyone could have imagined. As a Buckingham Palace statement observed: ‘During the King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted.’ And then the line that cannot fail to produce a gulp of empathy. ‘Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.’

There had been rumours of ill health ever since the King went into hospital last month, but there are always rumours concerning........

© The Spectator


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