King Charles' Cancer Diagnosis Has Everyone Saying The Same Dark Thing
Great Britain and the Commonwealth have been rocked by the news of King Charles III's cancer diagnosis. The announcement is made all the more devastating given the decades that Charles waited to be king. The dark misfortune of being handed a cancer diagnosis so soon after landing your dream job is truly tragic for Charles, an observation that's not gone unnoticed by the public.
"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," Buckingham Palace announced in a statement on February 5. A spokesperson shared that Charles is undergoing cancer treatment. Doctors have advised him to take a leave from public duties but he will continue with official State business. The Palace noted that Charles' medical team was quick to respond to the discovery of cancerous cells, and the king was confident in his full recovery. Charles decided to make his diagnosis public in solidarity with others who are affected by cancer, though what type of cancer it is has not yet been disclosed.
Charles' medical state became subject to speculation after he entered the hospital on January 17. Officials declared at the time that his prostate condition was "benign," and though the stay led to the discovery of the cancer, it seems to be unrelated.
King Charles' diagnosis comes at the worst time
King Charles III's cancer diagnosis could not have come at a worse time for him. It's no secret Charles was eager to take the throne for decades, but was forced to wait until Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022 at age 96. Charles finally got his wish when he was crowned in May 2023. However, his coronation wasn't anywhere near the cause for celebration that his mother's was.
Elizabeth was 25 when she became queen in 1952, heralding an exciting new era for the royals. In contrast, Charles was 73, making him the oldest monarch ever crowned in British history. Detractors focused on Charles' advanced age, speculating his health would prevent him from performing royal duties. Charles' cancer diagnosis has increased their pessimism. "It was pretty obvious that King Charles would pop his clogs soon after his Coronation," one critic posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "His bad health has been the worst kept secret ever."
According to BBC News, Charles is in close contact with William, Prince of Wales, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Harry will reportedly travel from California to visit his ailing dad in the next few days. Meanwhile, William is also dealing with Catherine, Princess of Wales' health woes. She's currently recovering at home following an abdominal surgery about which few details have been announced. With all the top brass out of commission, Queen Camilla; Anne, Princess Royal; and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh are left to pick up the slack.
Will King Charles' cancer diagnosis spell the end of The Firm?
Many people in their 70s look forward to retirement, if they're privileged enough to afford the luxury. However, following a lifetime of preparation, King Charles III is just getting started in his dream career after finally being crowned in May 2023 — a daunting prospect for most.
Charles has never scored highly in the approval ratings. According to a 2023 YouGov poll, he ranks number six among the royal family in popularity at 51%, behind his deceased mother, Queen Elizabeth II; William, Prince of Wales; Anne, Princess Royal; Catherine, Princess of Wales; and Anne's daughter, Zara Phillips. Charles is seen as conservative, elitist, and out of touch with public sentiment. His popularity hasn't been helped by news that the royal family will be receiving a huge pay raise over the next couple of years. A report from the Treasury indicates the royal family's tax payer-funded grant is set to increase from £86 million to £125 million in 2025. Given that the British public is currently being forced to tighten its belt as the cost of living crisis rages on, the announcement hasn't gone down well.
Meanwhile, pundits have questioned if an older sovereign can connect with a nation comprising a mostly younger population. If Charles fails to do so, it places the future of the monarchy, which is already struggling, in grave danger and positions him to potentially become Charles the last. In short, the last thing he needs right now is a cancer diagnosis.