Several British royals have been diagnosed with various forms of cancer since the start of their family’s reign. Buckingham Palace announced in February 2024 that King Charles III received a cancer diagnosis one week after he was admitted to The London Clinic to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate.

Prior to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III had been the heir apparent to the British throne for seven decades. Charles held the position longer than anyone in the monarchy’s history.

The message continued, “The pacing of the King’s program will be carefully calibrated as his recovery continues, in close consultation with his medical team.”

Throughout Charles and Camilla’s public outings since then, they have offered brief health updates about the regent’s condition.

“[He] won’t slow down and won’t do what he’s told,” Camilla joked in June.

Charles is not the only senior working royal with serious health issues. His daughter-in-law Princess Kate Middleton is also battling an undisclosed form of cancer, currently undergoing a preventive course of chemotherapy.

“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” Kate, 42, said in a June statement. “On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.”

Kate paused all public-facing engagements, save for brief outings at Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon this summer, to recuperate.

“I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much-needed time to heal,” she added in her June statement. “Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me.”