Royal watchers have followed King Charles III’s health battle after he was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer in February 2024.
“During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted,” a statement from Buckingham Palace read at the time. “Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.”
Details about Charles’ treatments have been kept relatively quiet, with rare health updates from the palace coming in the months following his diagnosis. (Charles’ daughter-in-law Princess Kate Middleton was undergoing treatment for her own cancer battle at the same time.)
After a turbulent year for the royal family, it was confirmed in December 2024 that Charles would be continuing his cancer treatments. In March 2025, it was announced that the king was briefly hospitalized but was recovering at home.
King Charles III Is Not Battling Prostate Cancer, Says Royal Reporter
Keep scrolling for a timeline of Charles’ cancer battle:
January 2024
Buckingham Palace announced on January 17 that Charles was seeking treatment for an enlarged prostate.
“His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure,” read a statement shared at the time.
February 2024
Less than one month after his procedure, Charles’ cancer diagnosis was announced.
“His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties,” read a palace statement read. “Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.”
The king noted that he was “grateful to his medical team,” who were “wholly positive about his treatment.”
March 2024
Charles resumed his public-facing duties nearly one month after news broke of his diagnosis.
May 2024
While visiting a cancer treatment center alongside wife Queen Camilla, the king recalled his diagnosis being a “bit of a shock” at first.
June 2024
Charles made his first overseas trip to Normandy, France, amid his treatments.
August 2024
Charles offered a brief update to supporters, noting that he wasn’t feeling “too bad” during a public appearance in Southport, England.
October 2024
It was widely reported that Charles was putting his cancer treatments on “pause” ahead of an overseas trip to Australia and Samoa, which took place that same month.
Later that month, Buckingham Palace noted in a statement that Charles was looking at “a pretty normal-looking full overseas tour program” in 2025 despite his health battle.
Kate Middleton, King Charles’ Dramatic Health Announcements, 1 Year Later
December 2024
ABC News reported that Charles would be continuing his cancer treatments into 2025. When asked about his well-being at an event that same month, the king joked, “I’m still alive.”
He also spoke about his health battle during his Christmas Day speech.
“From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed,” Charles stated. “I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement.”
March 2025
Buckingham Palace released a statement announcing that Charles was briefly hospitalized.
“Following scheduled and ongoing medical treatment for cancer this morning, The King experienced temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital,” the statement read. “His Majesty’s afternoon engagements were, therefore, postponed.”
The palace added, “As a precautionary measure, acting on medical advice, tomorrow’s diary program will also be rescheduled. His Majesty would like to send his apologies to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.”
May 2025
International relations student Stamford Collis shared what the king told him about his treatment, telling Hello Magazine, “It’s sometimes about the diet and what you eat. It can help.”
A senior royal aide offered an update on Charles saying, “I genuinely see no difference in him,” according to Hello! Magazine.
“The thing you learn about this illness [cancer] is that you just manage it,” they added. “As long as you just do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible and that’s exactly what he is doing.”
They continued, “It’s no secret that he is still having treatment but because he is incredibly fit, he is just dealing with it all incredibly well. As everybody knows he is driven by duty, so he just gets on with it.”
