05 February 2024 , 19:33
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The Royal Family have faced a difficult three-week spate of health scares, the latest being King Charles' cancer diagnosis.
Seventeen months into his reign, the 75-year-old monarch is now receiving immediate cancer treatment after doctors discovered "a separate issue of concern" while he received hospital treatment for a benign enlarged prostate last week.
The same week, the Princess of Wales left hospital after a seven-day stay following abdominal surgery. Kate was quietly taken home to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to continue her recovery. Sarah, The Duchess of York, is also dealing with skin cancer.
For years, royals have chosen to seek treatment at King Edward VII Hospital, discreetly tucked away on London's Harley Street.
The late Queen was an in-patient there, as her hospital of choice for a knee operation back in 2003. Her husband Prince Phillip also favoured the medical centre, as well as Queen Camilla who reportedly underwent an operation there in 2012.
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Knowing how much royal history lies behind its doors, fans were surprised when Kate announced she had undergone her planned surgery at another venue, The London Clinc, a mere stones-throw away from King Edward VII Hospital. King Charles also chose the former as his preferred hospital to seek treatment for an enlarged prostate.
King Charles once described Kate as his 'beloved daughter in law' (PA Archive/PA Images)King Charles and his "beloved daughter in law" have been praised for openly sharing their health issues with the public. 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".
But why did they both decide to stay at the same hospital, at the same time?
HELLO!'s royal editor Emmy Griffiths quelled concerns from well-wishers, explaining on a recent podcast: "It's closely linked to King Edward VII, which is where the royals have traditionally gone. It's not a question of them rejecting that one.
She added: "A lot of the senior consultants who are at The London Clinic have worked within the medical household. So, there is some crossover. And it's understandable, people don't always go for the hospital, they go for the consultant and for the person who's going to be looking after them."
The private clinic Charles and Kate stayed in is a world away from an NHS hospital, offering up a personalised food menu, luxury en-suite rooms, and state-of-the-art facilities.
Each room boasts air-conditioning and an en-suite bathroom with complimentary luxury products. Inside London Clinic rooms, patients can watch TV, listen to the radio, and make calls with the telephone.
The catering team takes into account each patient's dietary needs and works closely with dietitians to offer the ideal menu to help with recovery. All the dishes are made with fresh produce and where possible, the team buys locally sourced ingredients, while their fish is sustainably sourced. They even have an award-winning head chef.
While Buckingham Palace has not confirmed the type of cancer King Charles has, they have confirmed 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.
The King started his treatment on Monday and "remains at home in London this evening", a spokesperson confirmed. He will be treated as an "outpatient" which means that he will not have to stay in hospital while having treatment.
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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.”