King Charles III to undergo surgery for an enlarged prostate

Just hours after the Princess of Wales announced she was in hospital, King Charles has disclosed he has upcoming surgery.

King Charles III is to head to hospital for surgery on an enlarged prostate.

The news came during a dramatic few hours for the health of the Royal Family. Just two hours earlier, Catherine, Princess of Wales, announced she was in hospital for an unspecified abdominal surgery.

The multiple hospital stays mean two of the most senior royals will be out of action for weeks.

“In common with thousands of men each year, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate,” a statement from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday said.

King Charles III will undergo surgery next week. (Photo by Ugo AMEZ / POOL / AFP)

“His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure.

“The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.”

The prostate can often grow larger with age. Charles is 75 years old. It can cause issues with the urinary tract, bladder and kidney.

Benign prostate enlargement is not a sign of a cancer or a risk that a cancer could occur. It is not considered to be a serious issue. One in three man over the age of 50 will get symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

Catherine has not gone into detail about what abdominal issue she has that requires surgery.

The medical problem was not cancerous and she will recover at her home in Windsor.

Abdominal surgeries often treat issues that affect one’s abdomen and organs, including the stomach, small intestines, spleen, appendix and the colon.

The palace added that the 42-year-old wife of William, Prince of Wales, heir to the British throne, is aware of the interest her surgery will generate and hopes the public “will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible”.

It said it will “only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.”

But British newspaper The Mirror said Charles was keen to share his diagnosis to encourage other men who may have symptoms to get their prostates examined.

While it is unclear what corrective procedure the King will undergo, there are a few ways of managing it including surgery, lasers and even a steam treatment.

The King has cancelled a number of events that were due to be held in Scotland on Thursday and Friday.

He was last seen on Sunday heading to church near the Royal residence in Balmoral in Scotland’s north east.

Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales (C) with her sons and King Charles III (R) after attending the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in eastern England, on December 25, 2023. Picture: AFP.

The announcement from Buckingham Palace was the second significant piece of health news about senior royals to emerge on Wednesday.

The Princess of Wales was admitted to a private clinic in central London on Tuesday, a statement said.

“The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery,” the palace said.

“Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter (on March 31).

Kate and her family were last seen together publicly at Christmas Day service at Sandringham last month. At the time, she did the walkabout with William, 41, and their children: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.

Originally published as King Charles III to undergo surgery for an enlarged prostate