King Charles cancer diagnosis latest: Prince Harry set to arrive in UK today as he puts royal rift aside to visit his father, Princess Anne set to carry out royal duties and Rishi Sunak reveals monarch’s cancer was ‘caught early’ as treatment begins

The King is facing cancer treatment after his diagnosis was uncovered while in hospital for a procedure on an enlarged prostate. Here is what we know so far:

• Charles returned to London from Sandringham in Norfolk yesterday;
• He has begun medical care as an outpatient under doctors’ supervision;
• Rishi Sunak said he was left ‘shocked and sad’ upon hearing the news;
• Charles does not have prostate cancer, but the type is not yet known;
• Prince Harry has cleared his diary to fly to the UK to be with his father;
• Prince William is returning to official duties and taking on more work;
• Charles personally called his sons and siblings to give them the news.

Princess Beatrice has just been seen driving into the back of Clarence House in London this morning.

The King’s niece drove a Range Rover into the royal residence, having been seen leaving the property earlier in the day.

Princess Anne is continuing with royal duties today, as she carries out an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle this morning.

We’ve just received photos of her making Ivor Bolton, a conductor from London, a Commander of the Order of the British Empire:

Meanwhile today, new coins bearing the image of King Charles III have been pictured at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London during the ‘Trial of the Pyx’.

This is a judicial ceremony to ensure that newly minted coins from the Royal Mint conform to their required specifications.

Professor Charles Mackworth-Young, prime warden of the Goldsmith’s Company, has been photographed inspecting the new coins this morning.

Also speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning, former royal press secretary Simon Lewis said that the King’s openness about his cancer diagnosis has been his ‘style’ as a monarch.

‘I think it’s actually been the style of the King’s first year,’ he said. ‘This is obviously one element of it. But if you think of the book and the access that was given to Robert Hardman, if you think of the documentary, if you think of his whole style as King, I think this is very much in keeping with that.

‘And I do think his advisors, with this statement I’m sure we’ll talk about it, have actually got it spot on.

‘I think 20 years ago we would have got a very abrupt, short, statement, and that’s about it. And I think they’ve gone as far as they possibly can given that the King has had a diagnosis of cancer and, as a lot of people know, processing that is a pretty tough process.’

The Daily Mail’s Robert Hardman has told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that there was a ‘great significance’ to the King being so transparent about his health.

‘I think where we are now is, we’ll say so much, but it’s all about precedent,’ he said. ‘If you set a precedent of giving away all the details, all of the time, immediately, for any patient that can be troubling.

‘I think they are going to want to let information out as and when it feels appropriate. There’s a sense that we’ve been open enough thus far, if you need to know more you will.

‘That’s where we’re standing for now. We want to hold something back, because everybody does.’

The King’s openness about his cancer diagnosis contrasts significantly from how the news of his grandfather’s ill health was handled.

On February 6 1952, this day 72 years ago, King George VI died in the middle of the night. He had survived a major operation to remove his left lung in September 1951, but succumbed to a blood clot just a few months later.

It caused a coronary thrombosis, the blockage of the coronary arteries that carry blood to the heart, leading to a sudden collapse and fatal heart failure.

His death came as a shock to the public and the royal family, as even the King was not informed of the full extent of his illness.

He had waved goodbye to his 25-year-old daughter and heiress, Elizabeth, just a few weeks before as she left to visit Kenya. News of her father’s death, and her immediate accession to the throne, reached the Queen while she was on safari.

Pictured: King George VI with his grandson Prince Charles celebrating his third birthday at Buckingham Palace in 1951

The abdication of the late Queen’s uncle Edward VIII in 1936 sparked a major constitutional crisis and the royal family has never forgotten its devastating impact.

The King made a ‘promise of lifelong service’ in his first address to the nation when he became the monarch.

The British monarchy is also a sacerdotal monarchy – as part of his coronation, the King went through a consecration ritual which is similar to the consecration ritual a priest goes through.

You can retire from being an active priest but you are still a priest until you die. Edward VIII abdicated before he was crowned.

Pictured: Edward VIII with Wallis Simpson, at Charters in Berkshire in 1947

King Charles chose 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’, according to Buckingham Palace.

Experts praised this decision, saying it will encourage others to seek help for their own potential cancer symptoms. Here is the full story on MailOnline:

A period of regency allows the King to transfer his powers as monarch to the Prince of Wales without having to abdicate.

It does not mean Prince William would be king, with Charles remaining the monarch and head of state. But William would be able to perform royal functions in the name of and on behalf of Charles.

The Regency Act 1937 states that the monarch’s duties will be performed by a regent if the monarch is declared to be ‘by reason of infirmity of mind or body’ incapable of performing royal functions, or if there is ‘evidence that the Sovereign is for some definite cause not available for the performance of those functions’.

This must be declared in writing by three or more out of the following: the sovereign’s wife the Queen, the Lord Chancellor, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Lady Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls. Charles has no say and does not need to agree with their decision.

With the King being treated for cancer, the sovereign’s ill health has raised questions about whether there could be the need for a regency in the future.

If Charles was incapacitated, the Prince of Wales could be appointed Prince Regent through the Regency Act 1937, taking over the King’s duties.

However, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the King’s cancer has been ‘caught early’, suggesting any prospect of a regency is unlikely at this stage.

If needed, it would be the first time in more than 200 years that the British monarchy has required a regency, with the last Prince Regent being the future George IV (as depicted in a painting below).

The future George IV became Prince Regent through an ad hoc Regency Act in 1811 when his father George III was declared mentally unfit to be king.

Earlier today we reported data that shows cancer targets are still being missed, even when somebody has been diagnosed with the disease.

The NHS has now issued a statement in response to this.

A spokesman said: ‘The NHS is seeing and treating record numbers of people for cancer, with 30 per cent more people being treated last year than in 2015/16 and almost three million people receiving potentially lifesaving cancer checks in the last 12 months, ensuring more people than ever before have been diagnosed at an early stage and cancer survival is at an all-time high.

‘It is vital that people come forward if they are concerned about cancer symptoms – getting checked early saves lives.’

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, has been speaking in unfavourable terms about the return of Prince Harry following the King’s diagnosis.

She told GB News today: ‘My immediate reaction is how unhelpful is that? That’s not very kind of me. I just thought you really don’t need somebody coming into this mix at this slightly tense moment, that is going to cause more problems than they can solve.

‘Of course Harry wants to see his father and he hasn’t fallen out with his father despite what he’s said about the Queen. Charles has remained very calm about it.

‘But the Royal Family don’t like confronting these emotional issues and I think Harry will come over here, he will be perfectly nice to everyone, everyone will be perfectly nice to him, and then they’ll just hope that he goes back pretty soon.’

Among the well-wishers for the King today was Lisa Kerr, the principal of Gordonstoun School in Scotland, where King Charles spent his formative years.

She told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme: ‘We were all very shocked to hear the news last night, particularly having seen the King doing so well out and about after his prostate treatment.’

But Ms Kerr also said she was ‘hugely encouraged by his wholly positive attitude to his diagnosis and his continuing commitment to service’.

Pictured: Ms Kerr with Princess Anne during a visit to the school last Thursday:

Kelly Swaby, a royal historian specialising in modern history with an emphasis on healthcare, has been speaking to BBC Radio 4 about the King’s diagnosis.

She said: ‘The reaction the Royal Family are showing at the minute I think would be the same in every family across the country.

‘A health scare – a major health news is always a chance for a truce or a revaluation of a situation in someone’s personal life, so I think we should take Prince Harry coming back to the UK as a sign that maybe there is going to be a truce for a while.

‘A son is coming back to see his dad who has just received awful news.’

The King’s cancer diagnosis was splashed across the front page of every British national newspaper today, as this photograph taken in Caversham, Berkshire, shows. You can pick up your copy of the Daily Mail today for only £1.

Earlier, we brought you news in this liveblog that a horse-drawn carriage had been seen arriving outside Buckingham Palace in London this morning.

Now, we’ve just been sent photographs of what we think is the same carriage this time leaving the grounds of Clarence House, but again we can’t see inside.

Meghan Markle’s estranged father Thomas has wished King Charles ‘all the good wishes in the world’ after the monarch’s cancer diagnosis was revealed.

Here is the full story from our reporter Caroline Graham in Los Angeles:

Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots has confirmed he has written to the King to extend the best wishes of the administration following the announcement of Charles’s cancer diagnosis.

Opening today’s plenary session, Mr Poots, who has survived cancer, said: ‘Cancer is something that affects many families in the community.

‘Thankfully medical advances have made a huge difference to the treatment of cancer and we have thousands of cancer survivors in our community, indeed in the Assembly including myself.

‘To speak on behalf of the whole House, I will be sending our best wishes to His Majesty for a speedy recovery.’

Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood, who has spoken about her husband’s cancer treatment, proposed a matter of the day to allow MLAs to share their thoughts.

The Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace has taken place ‘as normal’ this morning, according to this video just tweeted by 5 News royal correspondent Simon Vigar:

Former Royal Communications Secretary Julian Payne has been speaking about how Charles will be ‘deeply frustrated’ by his cancer diagnosis.

Appearing on BBC Newsnight, he said the King ‘really enjoys being out and meeting people and having the chance to speak up on causes that he cares about on representing the nation’ and ‘will be itching to get back to things as quickly as he can’.

Matthew Dennison, royal biographer and author of The Queen, told BBC News this morning that there now will be parallels with the final years of Elizabeth II.

He said: ‘We are going to see something that is a little bit like we saw in the last months of the reign of the late Queen in that the Queen maintained all the functions associated with her role as Head of State – the prime ministerial encounters, where possible Privy Council meetings, but she didn’t do so many public engagements which are the head of the nation side of being the sovereign.

‘What we are going to see is something remarkably similar that the King will continue as Head of State but some of the head of the nation duties – he won’t be doing that in the short term.

‘Members of his immediate family who stepped up when the late queen scaled back her public engagements will do the same in this case I think. I suppose the challenge for the Royal Family is fitting in engagements to what are often very busy diaries that have been planned long in advance.

‘I would imagine we would see increased engagements on the part of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and possibly the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.’

Pictured: Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral before receiving Prime Minister Liz Truss for an audience on September 6, 2022 – two days before the late monarch’s death:

An NHS ambulance has also been photographed outside Buckingham Palace in the past few minutes. We have asked the London Ambulance Service why it’s there.

A horse-drawn carriage has just been seen arriving outside Buckingham Palace this morning. We’ve been sent a photo (below) but can’t yet see if anyone is inside.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has wished King Charles a ‘swift and full recovery’ and hopes his faith will offer ‘comfort’ as he begins treatment. Here is the full story:

Well-wishers have said their thoughts are with the King after he was diagnosed with cancer and they hope the royal family will ‘pull together’ and ‘take some of the burden off him’.

Tourists and locals outside Buckingham Palace this morning spoke of their sadness after hearing the news.

Lisa Nash, 61, said: ‘I love the royal family. I think they do a lot for this country and they will continue to do so, they’ll just pull together and hopefully take some of the burden off of him and he can concentrate on getting better.’

Martin Harris, 43, from Northampton, added: ‘Obviously it’s a shame for the family more than anything. You think of the family like you would do your own family, yes it’s a shame for us but it is for them more than us really. Also it’s good that they’ve found it early.’

Meanwhile Justin Haden, 52, from Canada, said the news was ‘sad’ and he hoped the King would ‘make a recovery’.

Prince Harry is flying to London to be with his father after the King’s shock cancer diagnosis, but he is not expected to take up any royal duties.

The Duke of Sussex is still technically a Counsellor of State, but it is not anticipated that any will need to be appointed.

In the event a monarch cannot undertake their duties as sovereign on a temporary basis due to illness, two or more Counsellors of State can be appointed by Letters Patent to act in their place.

Those who can currently stand in for Charles include Queen Camilla and the four most senior adults in the line of succession over the age of 21 – the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of York and Princess Beatrice.

In 2022, the King asked Parliament to add his youngest brother the Duke of Edinburgh and sister the Princess Royal as extra Counsellors of State so they can deputise for him if need be, and the addition was fast-tracked into law.

The legislation did add Anne and Edward to the list, but stopped short of removing Andrew and Harry. However, the House of Lords heard only ‘working members’ of the royal family would be called upon to act as Counsellors of State.

Given that Harry is no longer a working royal, this means he would not be required to step in.

King Charles may get alternative cancer therapies alongside typical treatments, his former communications secretary has suggested.

Kristina Kyriacou, who advised the monarch for seven years when he was the Prince of Wales, said the 75-year-old ‘will be very philosophical and be curious’ following his shock diagnosis. ‘He loves his alternative medicines,’ she told Good Morning Britain.

Read the full story from MailOnline’s deputy health editor Emily Craig:

Dr Hilary Williams, a consultant in medical oncology at Velindre Cancer Centre in South Wales, spoke to BBC Breakfast this morning after the King’s diagnosis.

She said Charles was ‘very advised to take a little bit of time out for himself’.

Cancer targets across the NHS are still being missed, even when somebody has been diagnosed with the disease.

The most recent figures, from November, show that one in 10 people miss out on being treated within 31 days after their cancer has been found and a decision has been made to treat them.

Some 90.1 per cent are seen within this timeframe in England, lower than the 96 per cent NHS target.

Other targets are also being missed, with 71.9 per cent of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer in November being diagnosed or having cancer ruled out within 28 days. This was up from 71.1 per cent the previous month but below the target of 75 per cent.

In addition, the proportion of patients in England waiting longer than 62 days in November from an urgent suspected cancer referral or consultant upgrade to their first definitive treatment for cancer was 65.2 per cent.

This was up from 63.1 per cent in October but well below the 85 per cent target.

King Charles will carry on with his Royal duties while being treated for cancer by reviewing paperwork, signing documents and holding private meetings – but some may take place via Zoom calls. Read the full story on MailOnline:

Here is the current line of succession to the throne, from the official royal website:

1. William, Prince of Wales
2. Prince George of Wales (son of William)
3. Princess Charlotte of Wales (daughter of William)
4. Prince Louis of Wales (son of William)
5. Harry, Duke of Sussex
6. Prince Archie of Sussex (son of Harry)
7. Princess Lilibet of Sussex (daughter of Harry)
8. Andrew, Duke of York
9. Princess Beatrice (daughter of Andrew)
10. Sienna Mapelli Mozzi (daughter of Princess Beatrice)
11. Princess Eugenie (daughter of Andrew)
12. August Brooksbank (son of Princess Eugenie)
13. Ernest Brooksbank (son of Princess Eugenie)
14. Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
15. James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex (son of Edward)
16. Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor (daughter of Edward)
17. Anne, Princess Royal
18. Peter Phillips (son of Anne)
19. Savannah Phillips (daughter of Peter Phillips)
20. Isla Phillips (daughter of Peter Phillips)
21. Zara Tindall (daughter of Anne)
22. Mia Tindall (daughter of Zara Tindall)
23. Lena Tindall (daughter of Zara Tindall)
24. Lucas Tindall (son of Zara Tindall)

Princess Anne is to plough on with business as usual after being informed of her brother Charles’ cancer diagnosis as she prepares to hand out honours at Windsor Castle before travelling up to the Midlands in a busy day of royal engagements.

Read the full story on MailOnline:

Queen Camilla is ‘very knowledgeable’ about the impact cancer can have on families, an expert has said.

Camilla has been president of Maggie’s cancer charity for the last 15 years and regularly meets patients during visits to its centres.

Maggie’s chief executive Dame Laura Lee said 76-year-old Camilla is very ‘compassionate and empathic’ about supporting a person with cancer and their family.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, she also praised the King for helping cancer patients understand that they are ‘not alone’ and that ‘he is with them’.

Camilla launched a Maggie’s centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London last week (pictured) – before the King’s diagnosis was announced.

Charles departed from royal tradition with his openness about his prostate condition. For centuries Britain’s royal family remained tight-lipped about health matters.

When UK monarchs had real power, news of illness was withheld for fear it might weaken their authority. The habit of secrecy lingered after royals became constitutional figureheads.

The British public wasn’t told that Charles’s grandfather, King George VI, had lung cancer before his death in February 1952 at the age of 56, and some historians have claimed that the king himself wasn’t told he was terminally ill.

In the final years of Queen Elizabeth II’s life, the public was told only that she was suffering from ‘mobility issues.’ The cause of her death was listed on the death certificate simply as ‘old age.’

Princess Anne will be carrying out an investiture at Windsor Castle today as the Royal Family continue duties following the King’s cancer diagnosis.

Here is who has carried out the past seven investiture ceremonies in recent months:

• Princess Anne – January 31, 2024
• Princess Anne – January 24, 2024
• Princess Anne – January 17, 2024
• King Charles — December 19, 2023
• King Charles — December 12, 2023
• Prince William — November 27, 2023
• King Charles — November 8, 2023

Anne is pictured at the most recent investiture ceremony last Wednesday with TV presenter Davina McCall, who received an MBE at Buckingham Palace:

Sarah Ferguson has gushed about how it has been a ‘special gift’ to share her children’s books with her grandchildren – as she battles cancer alongside King Charles. Read the full story on MailOnline this morning:

Princess Anne will carry out an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle today, a spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace has just confirmed to MailOnline.

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine said that for Charles, a workaholic who often worked until midnight on his papers, his recent health issues would mean he would have to take it more slowly now.

‘His body will tell him he has to, and Camilla certainly will,’ she told Reuters. ‘I think he’s mentally exhausted since the death of the queen. It’s been non-stop for him since then.’

While Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (pictured below on New Year’s Eve last year) abdicated last month in favour of her son King Frederik X after 52 years on the throne, Ms Seward said there was no chance Charles would follow suit.

‘Absolutely not, 100 per cent no,’ she said.

Emmanuel Macron and a ‘concerned’ Joe Biden led well wishes for Britain’s King Charles overnight following the news of his shock cancer diagnosis.

Find out how the world’s politicians have reacted in this article on MailOnline:

There was no indication that Charles had received the news about his cancer diagnosis when he appeared in public on Sunday to attend church with his wife Queen Camilla at Sandringham (pictured).

‘He’s the king, he’s got to put on a show and he’s been doing it all his life,’ said Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine.

Royal expert Joe Little of Majesty Magazine has said Queen Camilla will be a ‘massive support’ to her husband King Charles III after his cancer diagnosis.

‘Camilla has shown for a long time, and we’re very aware now, that she is famed as the power behind the throne,’ he said.

Mr Little added that the royal family took a ‘business as usual’ approach when it came to personal health matters.

‘I think they are keeping calm and carrying on, as they would be expected to,’ he said.

The King could miss out on a number of upcoming royal engagements after being advised to postpone his public-facing duties following his cancer diagnosis.

He is unlikely to be at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 11, which is usually attended by senior members of the royal family .

The annual Maundy Thursday Service and Easter engagements, including the Sunday service with other royal relatives, could also be out of the question.

Here is the full story on MailOnline:

Here are 12 of the key dates throughout King Charles’s life so far:

1. November 14, 1948 – Charles is born at Sandringham, the first child of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip
2. July 1, 1969 – Charles is formally invested as the Prince of Wales.
3. July 29, 1981 – He marries Lady Diana Spencer
4. June 21, 1982 – Birth of first son, William Arthur Philip Louis.
5. September 15, 1984 – Birth of second son, Harry (Henry Charles Albert David).
6. August 31, 1997 – Diana is killed in a Paris car crash, one year after their divorce.
7. April 8, 2005 – Charles marries Camilla Parker-Bowles in a civil ceremony
8. April 29, 2011 – His son, Prince William, marries Kate Middleton
9. July 22, 2013 – He becomes a grandfather for the first time with the birth of Prince George, William and Kate’s oldest child
10. May 19, 2018 – His second son, Harry, marries Meghan Markle
11. September 8, 2022 – Charles becomes King upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II
12. May 6, 2023 – He is crowned alongside Queen Camilla in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey

King Charles III departed from royal tradition with his openness about his prostate condition last month, which saw him admitted to hospital.

For centuries Britain’s royal family remained tight-lipped about health matters.

Disclosing information about his cancer diagnosis – albeit in a limited way – is another break with tradition.

But the Daily Mail’s Andrew Pierce has pondered whether Buckingham Palace will move ‘from the old opaque playbook to full transparency over the King’s type of cancer’.

The cancer diagnosis announced by Buckingham Palace last night is the latest blow for King Charles during his year and a half on the throne.

Early last year, Prince Harry published his autobiography ‘Spare’, which contained damning claims about his father and elder brother William.

And Charles has also had to contend with ongoing allegations against his brother Prince Andrew relating to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

And it comes as Kate Middleton recuperates at home after spending two weeks in hospital following planned abdominal surgery for a non-cancerous condition.

She is not expected to return to public duties until after Easter and the absence of the senior figures will put pressure on the other working royals to step in.

These photos confirm the Royal Standard is flying above Buckingham Palace in London this morning, after it was announced that King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer.

The Royal Standard is flown only when the sovereign is present. If the Union Jack is flying above the palace instead, it means the King is not in residence.

King Charles III could be absent from public duties until at least March after his cancer diagnosis, experts have warned. Read the full story on MailOnline here:

Members of the international media gathered outside Buckingham Palace in London this morning to broadcast to the world following the announcment of King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis. Here are some pictures taken in the past hour:

Queen Camilla is the ‘steady hand on the tiller’ amid the King’s cancer diagnosis, a former royal butler has said.

Speaking to GB News, Paul Burrell said the monarch’s wife is the ‘guiding force’ for the family, as well as being the one behind Charles’s openness regarding his health.

He added: ‘I think she is the stabiliser. I think she has that touch. I think she’s able to reach people in a way the King can’t and I think she’s taught him a lot in the last few years about monarchy and how to be King.’

Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were photographed leaving Clarence House in London this morning just hours after the King’s cancer diagnosis was announced. Read the full story on MailOnline here:

The Daily Mail’s royal editor Rebecca English has pointed out that on this day in 1952, King George VI died at Sandringham and Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne. It was also the day her son, Prince Charles, became heir to the throne.

News presenters last night revealed to the nation that the King had been diagnosed with cancer. In this article on MailOnline, see how the news was announced.

The King’s cancer diagnosis could see a ‘positive future emerge’ between Prince Harry and his brother Prince William, a royal expert has claimed.

Prince Harry, 39, is flying from California to London to reunite with his father following the news – but his wife Meghan Markle and their two children Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, will not be joining him, a source revealed.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said that the difficult time could potentially heal the rift between the warring brothers, but said that it’s ‘wise’ for Harry to travel to the UK alone to make the first steps towards reconciliation after a ‘serious rift’ in the family.

Read Mr Fitzwilliams’s thoughts in full in this article on MailOnline:

One of the King’s official parliamentary roles is assenting to Bills passed by Parliament on the advice of ministers.

Legislation must receive his sign-off to become law. Royal Assent has not been refused since 1707.

It is also a long-established convention that the monarch is asked for consent to debate Bills which would affect the prerogative or interests of the Crown.

The King also opens Parliament in the annual State Opening ceremony and sets out the Government’s agenda in the King’s Speech.

Charles’ first State Opening of Parliament as King was in November (pictured below), although he delivered the last Queen’s Speech of Elizabeth II’s reign in his mother’s place in 2022 after she dropped out due to health issues.

Traditionally the Lord Chancellor would read the speech on the sovereign’s behalf if he is unavailable.

He can summon new Parliaments on the Government’s advice, and open and close, or prorogue, each session of Parliament.

Prince William is returning to royal duties tomorrow after Kate Middleton underwent major abdominal surgery last month.

The Prince of Wales had taken time off to support his family as his wife recovered first in hospital, then returned home to Windsor to convalesce.

He will host an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle tomorrow and that evening will attend the London Air Ambulance annual fundraising gala in London.

Prince William, Queen Camilla and other working royals will step up their royal duties while the King undergoes treatment for a form of cancer – but it is not anticipated that Counsellors of State will need to be appointed.

In the event a monarch cannot undertake their duties as sovereign on a temporary basis due to illness, two or more Counsellors of State can be appointed by Letters Patent to act in their place.

It is hoped the King will continue with some of his duties, but how much he can do will depend on the progress of his treatment and the orders of his doctors.

Provisions for Counsellors of State are made under the Regency Acts 1937 to 1953 and those who can currently stand in for Charles include Camilla and the four most senior adults in the line of succession over the age of 21 – William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice.

In 2022, the King asked Parliament to add his youngest brother Prince Edward and sister Princess Anne as extra Counsellors of State so they can deputise for him if need be, and the addition was fast-tracked into law.

The legislation did add Anne and Edward to the list, but stopped short of removing Andrew and Harry. However, the House of Lords heard only ‘working members’ of the royal family would be called upon to act as Counsellors of State.

Here’s the full story from MailOnline after a cancer charity close to the King’s heart sent best wishes following news of his diagnosis:

The King’s former Communications Secretary, Kristina Kyriacou, has been on ITV’s Good Morning Britain discussing Prince Harry’s return to the UK after hearing of his father King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis. Here is what she said:

The King’s role in general elections will be a focus over the coming months, as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has hinted he will send Britain to the polls to elect a new Westminster government in the second half of this year.

The monarch dissolves Parliament before a general election.

The day after the vote, it is his duty to invite the leader of the party that won the most seats in the House of Commons to become Prime Minister and to form a government – one of the few remaining personal prerogatives of the sovereign.

It was one of the Queen’s last duties, just two days before she died, when she appointed Liz Truss prime minister, at Balmoral Castle.

It was the first time the Queen, who had mobility issues, carried out the key duty at her Scottish retreat rather than at Buckingham Palace.

The news that Britain’s King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer has gone around the world, prompting message of support from world leaders while featuring on the front pages of several international newspapers.

See how the world has reacted in this article on MailOnline:

Here is the full statement issued by Buckingham Palace at 6pm last night:

‘During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.

‘His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty 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. He 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.’

Prince Harry is thought to have already have taken off from Los Angeles Airport for London to be with King Charles, after his father was diagnosed with cancer.

A luxury Range Rover believed to be carrying the Duke of Sussex was seen arriving at LAX’s VIP terminal last night – and he could therefore be in London by lunchtime.

It is not known whether Harry will see his brother Prince William or Kate Middleton, who is recovering from abdominal surgery at their home in Windsor.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who is currently visiting Ukraine, revealed on social media this morning that he is praying for the King and his family:

Spotting cancer early can increase survival rates and make treatments more effective.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was ‘shocked and sad’ to hear about the King’s cancer diagnosis but ‘thankfully this has been caught early’.

The chance of a person surviving for at least five years after an early diagnosis depends on the type of cancer. Early stage cancer (stage 1) means the disease has not begun to spread to other organs and treatment is more likely to be successful.

For example, more than nine in 10 people with bowel cancer survive their disease for five years or more if diagnosed at the earliest stage 1. This falls to one in 10 people if bowel cancer is diagnosed at the most advanced stage and has spread to other parts of the body.

With bladder cancer, around 80 per cent of people survive their cancer for five years or more if diagnosed at an early stage. This drops to around 10 per cent of people when the bladder cancer is at an advanced stage.

However, for one of the most deadly cancers, pancreatic cancer, only around half of patients with stage 1 disease live for one year or more, dropping to around 10 per cent for those with advanced cancer.

Here is today’s Daily Mail front page, with the story from royal editor Rebecca English that King Charles III is reported to be ‘hugely positive’ following his cancer diagnosis:

I suspect that the vast majority of people will all have had the same response on hearing this news: a profound sympathy that no sooner has he assumed a role to which he was born than King Charles III is now having to deal with cancer, writes ROBERT HARDMAN.

Read his full column on MailOnline here:

Here is a video of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle speaking to MPs about the King’s cancer diagnosis last night.

He said: ‘I know the whole House will wish to join me in expressing our sympathies with His Majesty the King following the news announcement this evening.

‘Our thoughts are, of course, with His Majesty and his family, and we’d all wish to send him our very best wishes for the successful treatment and a speedy recovery following tonight’s news.’

No date has been set for the King’s return to full public duties.

Charles and Queen Camilla were expected to visit Canada in May, and Australia, New Zealand and Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October.

But Charles’s illness raises the prospect that Prince William may have to deputise for the King, who is head of the Commonwealth, at CHOGM, just like Charles did for the late Queen in the past.

Other trips could be postponed depending on how the King’s health progresses.

Forthcoming events that could see William playing a key role include the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey at the start of March and the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June.

Pictured: King Charles and his son Prince William in happier times, while on a ski holiday in Klosters in 2004:

The Daily Mail’s royal editor Rebecca English says she has ‘no doubt that Queen Camilla will be more of a rock than ever to the King over the difficult months to come’.

Read her full article on MailOnline here:

A cancer charity close to the King’s heart has sent best wishes following news of his diagnosis.

Charles has been patron of Macmillan Cancer Support for more than 20 years, having taken up the role in 1997.

A statement from Macmillan on X said: ‘Our thoughts are with His Majesty the King and his family. We are sending our best wishes at what we know must be an incredibly challenging time.’

The Daily Mail’s royal editor Rebecca English has revealed a special edition of the Palace Confidential programme will be recorded later this morning.

In these anxiety-inducing times, with terrible, turbulent events taking place all over the world and at home, one feels more than ever the absence of Her late Majesty’s calming, reassuring presence, writes SARAH VINE.

Read her full column on MailOnline by clicking below:

Prince William, Queen Camilla and Princess Anne will be the key royals holding the fort, along with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

It is understood William is likely to undertake some duties on behalf of the King in addition to his own diary of engagements, and as a future king and the senior royal in the line of succession he would be expected to shoulder most of the responsibility.

But Charles – a known workaholic – will carry on behind the scenes dealing with his famous red boxes – which contain his state business and official papers.

The King will also hold his weekly audience with the Prime Minister and monthly Privy Council meetings, which can both be done remotely.

The King’s former Communications Secretary, Kristina Kyriacou, has said she would have advised him against revealing the type of cancer he has been diagnosed with.

Speaking to ITV’s Good Morning Britain, she also revealed Charles was very supportive of her when he discovered she was being treated for cancer and asked if he could do anything to help her get the best advice.

Daily Mail columnist Robert Hardman told BBC News that the Royal Family ‘team’ will adapt after the King’s cancer diagnosis. Watch a video of his comments here:

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said his contacts with the King will continue ‘and we’ll crack on with everything’.

‘He’ll just be in our thoughts and our prayers, many families around the country listening to this will have been touched by the same thing and they know what it means to everyone,’ he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

‘So we’ll just be willing him on and hopefully we get through this as quickly as possible.’

Earlier, it had been confirmed the King will still be holding weekly audiences with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, which can take place over the phone.

Pictured: The King with Rishi Sunak at Buckingham Palace in October 2022

King Charles is known for his love of the outdoors and often breakfasts on fibre-rich Linseed on fruit.

And this healthy lifestyle will help stand the monarch in the best possible stead for his cancer fight.

Read the full story from the Daily Mail’s health editor Kate Pickles:

Rishi Sunak was left ‘shocked and sad’ when he was told about the King’s cancer diagnosis, he revealed this morning.

Prime Minister told BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘All our thoughts are with him and his family. Thankfully, this has been caught early.’

He said everyone will be hoping the King ‘gets the treatment that he needs and makes a full recovery’.

‘That’s what we’re all hoping and praying for, and I’m of course in regular contact with him and will continue to communicate with him as normal.’

While it was inconceivable that Harry would not want to fly to Britain once bulletins about Charles were issued, his presence will serve as a reminder of just how fractured the Royal Family has become since the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022, writes RICHARD KAY.

Read his full analysis by clicking below:

King Charles personally called both Prince Harry and Prince William, as well as his siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edwards, to give them the news before it was publicly announced.

The statement on his diagnosis was issued by Buckingham Palace at 6pm last night.

Pictured below: Senior royals at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022

Prince William’s return to official duties this week, in the aftermath of his wife Kate Middleton’s abdominal surgery, was announced just hours before news of the King’s diagnosis, suggesting the Prince of Wales is stepping up while his father is unwell.

William is likely to be undertaking some duties on his father’s behalf, it is understood – but Counsellors of State, who are appointed when a monarch cannot fulfil their duties as head of state, are not expected to needed.

The King will still be dealing with his red boxes of state business and official papers, and holding Privy Council meetings, which can be held via video, and weekly audiences with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, which can take place over the phone.

William was last seen nearly three weeks ago leaving The London Clinic on January 18 after visiting Kate:

Prince Harry has taken off from Los Angeles and is flying to London to be with King Charles after he was diagnosed with cancer – but Meghan Markle is staying at home with their children Archie and Lilibet.

Harry’s father called him in person to tell him the devastating news and the Duke of Sussex jumped on a plane so he could be in the UK later today.

Read the full story from MailOnline’s chief reporter Martin Robinson:

The King’s shock cancer diagnosis was uncovered during his recent hospital stay at The London Clinic in Marylebone last month.

He was diagnosed after a ‘separate issue of concern was noted’ and investigated while he was being treated for his benign prostate condition last month.

Buckingham Palace confirmed King Charles III does not have prostate cancer, despite having treatment for an enlarged prostate just over a week ago.

Further details of his condition have not been disclosed, and the Palace asked for privacy and only confirmed it is a ‘form of cancer’.

Let’s start with a look at our top story today, which is that the King spent last night at home in London after beginning out-patient cancer treatment.

Family and friends also revealed that the monarch remains ‘hugely positive’ following his shock diagnosis.Read the full article on MailOnline by clicking below:

Good morning and welcome to MailOnline’s liveblog, following the announcement by Buckingham Palace that the King has been diagnosed with a form of cancer.

Royal officials confirmed the disease, which is not prostate cancer, was discovered while the King was being treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate.

The King has started a schedule of regular treatments, but has been advised to postpone his public-facing duties.

Stay with us throughout today as we bring you all the latest updates.