King Charles III reportedly experienced a 'cancer scare' years before his official diagnosis in February, as revealed in a new book.
In the updated edition of 'Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story,' released on November 7, author Robert Hardman casually mentions that Charles, now 75, had previously suspected he might have cancer while discussing his current health condition. 'Besides, one former member of the team from [Charles’] Prince of Wales days reveals that the King had actually undergone a cancer scare some years before,' Hardman wrote in an excerpt published by the Mail on Sunday.
Before ascending to the throne in 2022 following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Charles held the title of Prince of Wales, which was bestowed upon him in 1958 and has since been passed to his eldest son, Prince William. 'Given [the King’s] close involvement over the decades, as prince, with several cancer organizations and charities, here was a patient with a deeper understanding of the disease than most.'
Buckingham Palace declined to comment when approached by The Post, adhering to its customary policy of not commenting on books about royal family members. King Charles was diagnosed with cancer in February, following a 'corrective procedure' for a benign enlarged prostate in January. In a departure from tradition, the palace disclosed both health updates to the public. 'No previous bulletin on the health of a sovereign had ever been quite so frank,' Hardman noted. Despite Queen Elizabeth rarely sharing health updates, among Charles’ staff, there was 'very little internal debate' about whether he should reveal his cancer diagnosis.
'After the earlier announcement about his prostate, it was actually an easy decision to say, ‘Well, that’s what we do these days,' a member of the King’s staff reportedly told Hardman. 'We didn’t hang about because we all felt that the country does have a right to know about this — though not in forensic detail.' Hardman quoted the insider as saying, 'When you know the King has got cancer, every cancer sufferer could feel connected to him.'
In a statement released on February 5 announcing the King’s diagnosis, Buckingham Palace stated, '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.' Although the palace has not officially disclosed the type of cancer, it is understood that King Charles does not have prostate cancer.
Charles’ first public engagement post-diagnosis was on April 30, when he visited a cancer treatment center in London. This visit coincided with the announcement of his patronage of the charity Cancer Research U.K. At the time, the palace confirmed that the King’s cancer treatment was ongoing. Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Queen Camilla and her first husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, recently commented that the sovereign is 'strong.' 'He is doing what he can,' Parker Bowles, 49, told People. 'He’s following the advice of his doctors. Fingers crossed, touch wood.'
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