King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer, Buckingham Palace said in a statement Monday.
The palace did not go into detail about the kind of cancer the 75-year-old British monarch has or its severity.
“During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted,” the palace said in a statement shared with HuffPost.
“Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer,” the palace’s statement read. “His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.”
The palace noted that Charles “will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.”
“The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure,” the palace said, adding that Charles “remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”
“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,” the palace said.
A source close to Prince Harry told HuffPost that the Duke of Sussex has spoken with Charles about his health news, and that Harry, who now lives in California, is expected to travel to the U.K. to visit with his father soon.
People magazine reported that Charles personally told his sons and three siblings about his cancer diagnosis before he made a public statement about the news.
Charles underwent surgery last week, after the palace announced in January that he was seeking “treatment for an enlarged prostate.” At the time, the palace described the king’s condition as “benign.”
World leaders soon reacted to news of Charles’ cancer.
President Joe Biden told reporters “I’m concerned about him” on Monday, after he’d heard news of the diagnosis. Biden said he would speak soon with the king, “God willing.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he was “hoping for a fast and full recovery” for the monarch.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also extended his well wishes to the monarch on Twitter, writing, “I have no doubt he’ll be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will be wishing him well.”
Trump released an all-caps statement of his own on Truth Social, telling followers about the news of the king’s cancer and saying he’s a “wonderful man, who I got to know well during my presidency,” adding that “we all pray that he has a fast and full recovery.”
Charles’ surgery news and cancer diagnosis come at a worrying time for the shrinking royal family, as Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, recently experienced a health crisis of her own.
Kate spent nearly two weeks in the hospital after Kensington Palace announced that she underwent a “planned” abdominal surgery on Jan. 16.
She is “making good progress,” according to a statement from the palace, which added that she returned home to Windsor last week.
“The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided,” Kensington Palace said in a statement shared with HuffPost on Jan. 29. “The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.”
