Buckingham Palace revealed that King Charles III is scheduled for a corrective procedure to address an enlarged prostate next week.
The 75-year-old monarch’s condition is benign, and as a result, his public engagements will be temporarily postponed to allow for a short period of recuperation.
Charles ascended to the throne on September 8, 2022, becoming Britain’s oldest monarch and the longest-serving heir apparent. Despite generally enjoying good health, he faced two bouts of coronavirus and dealt with sporting injuries in his younger years.
Benign prostate enlargement, a common occurrence in men over 50, is not associated with cancer and is usually not considered a serious threat to health, according to Britain’s National Health Service.
Symptoms include a frequent need to pass water and difficulty in fully emptying the bladder, with hormonal changes linked to aging believed to be a contributing factor.
The palace’s announcement came shortly after news emerged that the Princess of Wales is expected to spend up to two weeks in the hospital following a successful abdominal surgery.
The 42-year-old wife of William, Prince of Wales, heir to the British throne, underwent the procedure at a private clinic in central London on Tuesday, according to Kensington Palace.
