LONDON: The United Kingdom's royal family has had a double health scare as King Charles 3rd faces treatment for an enlarged prostate and his daughter-in-law Catherine, Princess of Wales, recuperates from abdominal surgery.
IN GOOD SPIRITS King Charles 3rd waves to the crowd during a visit to a festival celebrating British and French culture and business at Place de la Bourse in the city of Bordeaux, southwestern France on Sept. 22, 2023. AFP FILE PHOTO
Separate announcements came within 90 minutes of each other from Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, in a rare show of transparency from royal officials about personal health matters.
The king, 75, is due in the hospital next week, while Catherine, often known as Kate, was admitted to a private clinic in the capital London on Tuesday.
She now faces up to two weeks in the hospital and several months' recuperation from the operation, which the palace said was not cancer-related.
Charles has thrown himself into his role as king after succeeding his mother, Queen Elizabeth 2nd, upon her death on Sept. 8, 2022, at a time when most men his age have retired.
He is the head of state of 14 other countries outside the UK, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, and is head of the 56-member Commonwealth, which is made up of 2.4 billion people.
He is also the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the mother church of the worldwide Anglican communion.
His last public appearance was with other senior royals, including Kate, at a Christmas Day service at his Sandringham estate in eastern England.
"In common with thousands of men each year, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate," the palace statement read.
"His Majesty's condition is benign, and he will attend the hospital next week for a corrective procedure. The King's public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation," it added.
Benign prostate enlargement is common in men older than 50 and is not normally considered a serious threat to health or an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
If the prostate gland is enlarged, it can put pressure on the bladder and urethra, affecting urination.
Causes of prostate enlargement are unknown but are thought to be linked to hormonal changes with age, the UK's National Health Service said.
Charles was keen to share details of his diagnosis to encourage other men to get checked if they have similar symptoms, UK royal correspondents said.
Postponement
Kate, who is one of the most popular — and photographed — members of the royal family, is married to Charles' elder son and heir, Prince William.
Her surgery was "successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery," a statement read.
"Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter (on March 31)."
In the latest polls, she is the third most popular living royal, with a 63-percent public approval rating, behind William (68 percent) and Charles' sister Princess Anne (67 percent).
Queen Elizabeth remains the most popular, with 75 percent, according to YouGov. The king's rating was 51 percent.
Kate, 42, is frequently seen alongside William, 41, with whom she has three young children: Prince George, 10; Princess Charlotte, 8; and Prince Louis, 5.
But she is increasingly undertaking solo public engagements, particularly in her key areas of interest, such as early-years education.
At The London Clinic, one of the UK's largest private hospitals, two police officers stood guard at the main entrance as photographers and film crews gathered.
Kensington Palace said the "Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate."
"She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible and her wish that her personal medical information remains private," it added.
"Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness' progress when there is significant new information to share."