Britain’s King Charles III will visit a hospital next week for a procedure to treat his enlarged prostate, Buckingham Palace said Wednesday.
That means the monarch will cancel his public engagements to receive the treatment.
“In common with thousands of men each year, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement. “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.”
King Charles was crowned last year at the age of 74 after inheriting the monarchy upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. His health is generally understood to have been good. He had a non-cancerous growth removed from his face in 2008, The Associated Press reported.
According to CBS, more than one in three British men will face some issues with prostate enlargement in their lifetime, and the condition is commonly associated with ageing, according to Britain’s National Health Service.
“It’s not known why the prostate gets bigger as you get older, but it is not caused by cancer and does not increase your risk of developing prostate cancer,” the NHS says on its website.
According to a statement on the website of the Palace, the Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital on Tuesday for planned abdominal surgery.
It said the surgery was successful and it was expected that she would remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery.
Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter, the palace said.
“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.
“Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.
“The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible,” it said.
