Reason King Charles cancer announcement was made at 6pm - and what's next
The King has been diagnosed with a form of cancer - and the announcement was made at 6pm on the dot. The issue, unrelated to the treatment he received last week for his enlarged prostate, was discovered last week while he underwent medical treatment.
But while Buckingham Palace has not confirmed the type, they have said it is not prostate cancer. Now family members are flocking around - including Prince Harry, who is set to fly to see his father next week, after a bitter battle of words in recent years.
Prince Harry, 39, spoke to his father about his diagnosis before it was made public - in a sign that the fractious relationship could thaw. The Duchess of Sussex will stay at home with their two children, Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two.
The timing of the announcement will be designed to reach a broad audience - and for millions of Brits, tuning into BBC News at 6pm is when they receive the latest news.
The full statement (PA)Typically, the Royal Family has ensured announcements are embargoed for news broadcasts - or ensured they go out before newspapers go for print.
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In a statement, the Palace said: "His Majesty has been treated for benign prostate enlargement. It was during this intervention that a separate issue of concern was noted and subsequently diagnosed as a form of cancer. This second condition will now receive appropriate treatment.
"No further details are being shared at this stage, but His Majesty is receiving expert care and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”
"His Majesty is grateful to his medical team for their expert care and swift intervention, is wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”
Details of the type of test that the monarch faced have not been divulged but diagnostic tests for cancer can involve blood tests, scans and biopsies.
King Charles started treatment today (PA)A biopsy is a medical procedure that involves taking a small sample so it can be examined under a microscope to identify whether there are abnormal cells present.
Now, the Palace has confirmed that Charles started "a schedule of regular treatments".
This could involve chemotherapy – a medicine is used to kill cancer cells; radiotherapy – a treatment where radiation is used to kill cancer cells; or targeted cancer drugs that find and attack cancer cells.
He will be treated as an "outpatient" which means that he will not have to stay in hospital while having treatment.
The King started his treatment on Monday and "remains at home in London this evening", a spokesperson confirmed.
The Palace announced that under medical advisement, Charles will be stepping back from public-facing duties.
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But he is still able to "undertake State business and official paperwork as usual", officials said.
They added that the King "remains wholly positive about his treatment" and "looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible".
When the King shared his diagnosis of an enlarged prostate there was a significant increase in searches for the condition on the NHS website.
On the day after the announcement there were 16,410 visits to the NHS website's prostate enlargement page compared with 1,414 visits the previous day.
Buckingham Palace said that the King chose to share his cancer diagnosis to "prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer".
According to Macmillan Cancer Support around 393,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer.
When the King was Prince of Wales he was patron of a number of cancer-related charities.
He often spoke in support of cancer patients, their loved ones and health professionals.
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