KUALA LUMPUR – Britain’s King Charles III was admitted to the hospital yesterday for scheduled prostate surgery and is undergoing treatment at the same private clinic where his daughter-in-law is recovering from an operation.
AFP reported that the 75-year-old monarch, who is also head of state in 14 countries outside the United Kingdom, was seen arriving at The London Clinic, accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla.
Princess of Wales Catherine Middletone (Kate), whose husband Prince William is Charles’s eldest son and heir, has spent 11 days at the same hospital after abdominal surgery.
It is not known how long the king will spend in the hospital, but according to The Times newspaper, he is expected to stay for two days to recover.
The British media also reported that he had visited Kate before his own treatment.
“The king was admitted this morning to a London hospital for scheduled treatment.
“His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness,” Buckingham Palace said.
Last week, palace officials issued a bulletin on the king’s health, disclosing that he had an enlarged prostate but that the condition was benign.
The news came after the news that 42-year-old Kate had undergone successful abdominal surgery for an unspecified condition.
She was expected to spend up to two weeks recuperating and several months away from public duties.
Charles travelled to his private Sandringham estate in eastern England on January 19 to prepare for what royal officials said would be a “corrective procedure” before returning to London on Thursday.
He was told he had the condition, which is common in men aged over 50 and affects urination, after experiencing symptoms and having a check-up.
He wanted to share his diagnosis publicly to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to see their doctor.
The king’s announcement has seen a surge in internet searches for the term “enlarged prostate” on the state-run National Health Service website.
An enlarged prostate, symptoms of which include a frequent need to urinate and difficulty emptying the bladder, is not normally considered a serious condition or a risk indicator for prostate cancer. – January 27, 2024