King Charles & Other Royal Family Members Affected by Cancer: 3 Have Passed Away

• King Charles was recently diagnosed with cancer.
• However, Buckingham Palace has not revealed what type of cancer he has.
• Previous royal family members were also diagnosed with the disease.

King Charles recently announced that he is battling a deadly disease. However, he is not the only member of the royal family who has been diagnosed with this condition.

In January 2024, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III would be undergoing surgery for benign prostate enlargement. However, doctors uncovered a separate health issue during the royal's hospital stay.

On February 5, 2024, the palace again shared an update on King Charles' health on the royals' Instagram account, with over 13 million followers. The statement read:

"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."

The same day this was announced, His Majesty began with a schedule of regular treatments. Per doctors' advice, he must postpone his official public engagements. Still, the family patriarch will continue undertaking State business and official paperwork as usual.

However, King Charles is not the only royal member who has been diagnosed with cancer. There were several before him, including his grandfather, King George VI.

His Majesty, known to be a heavy smoker, suffered from lung cancer during his 16-year reign as the King of England. King George, who suffered from frequent bronchitis attacks, passed away in his sleep at 56 in 1952.

Another royal family member who experienced a similar health issue was Prince Edward, the Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VIII. Prince Edward, who abdicated the throne to marry an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson, sadly died from throat cancer at his Paris home in 1972. The Royal Family attended his funeral.

In addition, the Queen Mother suffered several health issues in her lifetime but did not slow down her public duties. She reportedly underwent surgery to remove a fishbone caught in her throat and dealt with an appendectomy and colon cancer. The family matriarch passed on in her sleep at her home in 2002 at the Royal Lodge at Windsor Great Park.

Six years later, in August 2008, the royal's son-in-law, Prince Philip, was reportedly diagnosed with prostate cancer. Then, 87, reports revealed the Duke of Edinburgh's condition had been detected earlier that year in April while being treated at a London hospital for a chest infection.

Following the report, Buckingham Palace denied the claims in an issued statement on the Royal Family's website. The palace stated that the Evening Standard breached the royal's privacy and would escalate the matter. The royal died at 99 in 2021.

His wife, Queen Elizabeth II, also passed away a little over a year later, in 2022, at 96. A month after Her Majesty's death, an author claimed that she had bone cancer, writing:

"I heard that the Queen had a form of myeloma – bone marrow cancer – which would explain her tiredness and weight loss and those 'mobility issues' we were often told about during the last year or so of her life."

However, an autopsy report stated otherwise. The Queen's death certificate reportedly revealed that the longest-reigning monarch had died of old age at Balmoral Castle.

Another family who has had bouts with cancer is the Queen's daughter-in-law, Sarah Ferguson, who has also experienced multiple health concerns in recent years. In January 2023, the Duchess of York posted a photo of herself and revealed:

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I beat cancer, and now I have got a Derek on my left."

Similarly to his sister-in-law, King Charles' form of cancer was detected early, and he is grateful to his medical team for discovering it during his recent hospital stay.

The United Kingdom's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also reportedly said it is a relief the illness was "caught early" and wishes the monarch a speedy recovery.

Before King Charles ascended the throne, news of the royal family members' health issues was kept private by the palace. However, His Majesty reportedly advocates for openness about health issues affecting members of the Royal Family.

The father of two broke a longstanding tradition by disclosing his cancer diagnosis. His grandfather, King George's, cancer treatment was a secret to the media and the public.

According to reports, King Charles personally shared his diagnosis with his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, and his three siblings, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Prince Andrew — before the palace public announced the news.

The monarch's youngest son, Prince Harry, was photographed arriving at Clarence House, his London residence, on February 6, 2024, after flying in from America. The Duke of Sussex was pictured sitting at the back of an SUV following his 11-hour flight from Los Angeles to London.

As for why King Charles decided to share his diagnosis with the public, the palace revealed, "His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope, it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer."