Everything We Know About His Treatment

King Charles III was diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer on Feb. 5, 2024, Buckingham Palace revealed.

In 2024, while receiving treatment for a benign enlarged prostate condition the month prior, doctors found something else. “A separate issue of concern was noted,” palace officials said.

Further diagnostic tests revealed that Charles has “a form of cancer.” In the months since the announcement, no further statements from the palace have confirmed any additional details about his condition nor the type of cancer the king has, but they have shared that it’s not prostate 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,” the Feb. 5, 2024 statement read.

By April 2024, however, Charles was able to resume public appearances and, since then, he, his family and the palace have shared regular updates about his health and treatment.

In a rare update, the king will share a personal statement about his health as part of a campaign for Stand Up To Cancer on Dec. 12, 2025. The message was recorded two weeks ago, TODAY reported, “and will emphasize the importance of early cancer checks.”

A Timeline of King Charles’ Cancer Journey

January 2024

Jan. 17, 2024, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles would be undergoing “a corrective procedure” to treat a benign enlarged prostate. The treatment was to be followed by a “short period of recuperation.”

He entered London Clinic private hospital and received the procedure there on Jan. 26. He was discharged from the hospital on Jan. 29.

A benign enlarged prostate is a common condition that often comes with aging, Dr. Otis Brawley, professor of oncology and associate director of outreach and engagement at the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, tells TODAY.com.

Also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, the condition “exists in almost every man over the age of 50,” Brawley explains, and it can put uncomfortable pressure on the bladder, blocking the flow of urine.

The treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia include medications, which typically need to be taken for months, Brawley says, or surgery.

Of the surgical options available, the most common one is the transurethral resection of the prostate. This procedure “involves sticking a drill up the urethra to the level of the prostate,” Brawley explains, and using the drill to essentially “whittle out a larger hole for the person to urinate.”

Buckingham Palace did not disclose the specific procedure that Charles received.

February 2024

In a Feb. 5, 2024, statement, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles has cancer but did not specify what kind of cancer (beyond stating that he does not have prostate cancer).

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

“The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure,” the official statement read. “He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”

He began outpatient treatment for the cancer on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, palace officials added.

While Charles had to step back from some of his public-facing duties, he had a meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Feb. 21, during which the king commented on the support he’d been receiving during this time.

“Wonderful to see you looking so well,” the prime minister told the king. “It’s all done by mirrors,” Charles joked in a clip of the meeting captured by the BBC.

“We’re all behind you, the country is behind you,” Sunak added.

“I’ve had so many wonderful messages and cards,” Charles shared, “which reduced me to tears most of the time.”

The two went on to discuss how the news of Charles’ diagnosis has shone a light on charities dedicated to cancer treatment and awareness, many of which the king said he’s supported for years.

March 2024

At a benefit for the Elephant Family charity on March 21, Princess Eugenie, King Charles’ niece, gave an update on the monarch’s health.

“He’s doing well,” Eugenie said in a clip shared by ITV News. “Thank you for asking. He’s doing well, and he’d also be very proud today because the Elephant Family is very close to his heart, too.”

April 2024

In early April, the palace shared an update on Charles’ treatment. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson addressed Charles’ return to public duties and said it is “too early to say” for how much longer his treatment will continue, “but His Majesty’s medical team are very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about The King’s continued recovery.”

King Charles ended up resuming his public-facing royal duties that same month.

A spokesperson for the palace added that Charles’ doctors were “sufficiently pleased” with the progress he has made during treatment, which would continue for an indeterminate amount of time.

Charles’ future engagements will remain subject to doctors’ advice and “adapted” as necessary to minimize risks to his continued recovery, said the spokesperson, noting that the king is not expected to participate in a full summer schedule of royal duties.

The palace’s announcement about Charles returning to his public duties was accompanied by a new image of him and Camilla shot by photographer Millie Pilkington in Buckingham Palace Gardens on April 10.

The king made his first public appearance since his cancer diagnosis on April 30, when he visited a cancer hospital in London with his wife, Queen Camilla. There, Charles met with medical specialists and patients as the new patron of Cancer Research U.K.

By the following month, his schedule was so busy that he wasn’t able to see his son Prince Harry during Harry’s travels to the U.K. the second week in May for the Invictus Games, an event the Duke of Sussex co-founded that honors wounded service people and veterans.

“It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme,” a spokesperson for the duke said. “The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”

Charles had a scheduled meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on May 8, just 3 miles from where Harry’s appearance for the 10th anniversary of the games at St. Paul’s Cathedral was.

March 2025

Charles, whose cancer treatments were ongoing, was recently kept at the hospital for observation when he experienced unspecified side effects.

“Following scheduled and ongoing medical treatment for cancer this morning, The King experienced temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Mar. 27, 2025.

The palace didn’t specify how long his stay at the hospital was or what the side effects were, but confirmed he’d returned to Clarence House, a royal residence in London.

The king’s duties for the following day were postponed. “He very much hopes that they can be rescheduled in due course and offers his deepest apologies to all those who had worked so hard to make the planned visit possible,” the palace said.

April 2025

On April 30, 2025, Charles shared a message at a cancer support reception and said his diagnosis brought humanity into “sharp focus.” It was the first time he’d reflected on his cancer treatment publicly.

“Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones. But as one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity,” he said.

His outlook, he added, was changed by the support he’s received. “It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years. And it has reinforced what I have long observed during these visits — that the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.”

June 2025

Following the end if the UK royal financial year in April, a royal aide shared an update about the king’s health.

“This year has, of course, seen something of a ‘return to normal business’ after the health challenges faced by members of the family in the previous fiscal year,” the Keeper of the Privy Purse James Chalmers said while updating reporters on the year’s financials in June, according to Town & Country.

“The King demonstrated remarkable resilience by undertaking a wide program of public and State duties at home and overseas while continuing to receive treatment, demonstrating not only His Majesty’s personal commitment to duty but also the adaptability and resilience of the Royal Household in ensuring continuity of service, no matter the personal circumstances,” Chalmers added.

Amid treatment and a hospitalization in March, Chalmers celebrated the king’s ability to keep up with his loaded calendar once he returned to royal duties. “The King was additionally able to continue with his official duties, which this year included 178 Audiences related to his Constitutional role, including 46 Audiences with UK Government and Devolved Administration ministers, 27 Audiences with outgoing UK Diplomats and 35 Audiences with incoming dignitaries,” said Chalmers.

December 2025

Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles would be giving a personal health update as part of the Stand Up To Cancer campaign. The prerecorded message was captured at Clarence House, the king’s London residence, and will air on Dec. 12.