Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles III will be attending the hospital next week for treatment related to an enlarged prostate.
While the King's condition is benign, he will be undergoing a "corrective procedure" to address the issue. As a result, the 75-year-old monarch's public engagements will be postponed briefly to allow for a period of recuperation, BBC News reports.
Enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a common condition among men, particularly those over the age of 50.
While it is not typically considered a serious medical issue, it can lead to symptoms such as difficulty urinating and increased urgency to urinate. Importantly, an enlarged prostate does not increase the risk of developing prostate cancer, according to information provided by the NHS.
The decision to seek treatment for the King's enlarged prostate is in line with the approach taken by thousands of men each year who address this common condition. The Palace's statement emphasized the King's commitment to his health and well-being, mirroring the responsible actions of individuals who prioritize their medical care.
This news also comes shortly after Kensington Palace revealed that Catherine, Princess of Wales, is in hospital and recovering from abdominal surgery.
The 42-year-old is expected to remain in hospital for 10-14 days after having the surgery and has canceled her commitments for the foreseeable future.
Princess Catherine is not expected to resume her Royal duties until after Easter, depending on medical advice nearer the time according to reports.
Kensington Palace confirmed the news in a statement, writing: "Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery."
The statement continued: "The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery.
"Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter."
It added: "The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.
"Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness' progress when there is significant new information to share.
"The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible."
Following her eventual discharge, Kate is then expected to return home to Windsor to continue her recovery at home with Prince William and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
There are no further details on the reasons for Kate's surgery, however it has been reported that she was not rushed into hospital and that the procedure was planned for some time.
