King Charles to undergo surgery on enlarged prostate, palace says
Written by ABC Audio All Rights Reserved on January 18, 2024
(LONDON) — King Charles III will undergo a procedure next week to be treated for an enlarged prostate, according to Buckingham Palace.
“His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure,” the palace said in a statement Wednesday. “The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.”
Charles, 75, had been scheduled to attend meetings and events at Dumfries House later this week, events that have since been postponed, according to the palace.
The king’s condition is said to be benign, meaning it is non-cancerous.
A palace source told ABC News that Charles wanted to share his diagnosis to help “encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked, in line with public health advice.”
A man’s prostate tends to increase in size with age, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An enlarged prostate can then lead to compression of surrounding structures, including the narrowing of the urethra, which can cause decreased urine flow or difficulty urinating.
Charles’ upcoming procedure marks his first public health battle since ascending to the throne.
Charles became king in 2022, following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
The coronation ceremony for Charles and his wife Queen Camilla was held last May at Westminster Abbey in London.
The news of Charles’ upcoming procedure was shared the same day it was announced that Charles’ daughter-in-law, Kate, the Princess of Wales, had undergone a “planned abdominal surgery.”
Kate, 42, was admitted Tuesday to The London Clinic for a “planned” surgery, according to the palace.
The palace did not provide further details on the type of surgery Kate underwent, but confirmed to ABC News that the princess’ medical issue is non-cancerous.
The surgery was “successful,” according to the palace, but Kate, the wife of Prince William and mom of their three young kids, is expected to remain hospitalized for 10 to 14 days before returning to the family’s home to recover.
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