On January 17, 2024, Buckingham Palace issued an official statement confirming that King Charles III would undergo hospital treatment for an enlarged prostate. The Palace emphasized that the condition was benign and that the King wished to share the information publicly to encourage awareness of men’s health.
The following day, Queen Camilla briefly spoke to reporters outside Clarence House and stated that the King was feeling “fine” and looking forward to returning to work. This comment was widely reported by major broadcasters including BBC News and ITV.
In February 2024, Buckingham Palace released a further statement confirming that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer following medical tests. The Palace did not disclose the specific type of cancer, noting that this decision was made to respect medical privacy while still maintaining transparency with the public.
Since then, the King has gradually resumed selected official duties, as confirmed through Court Circular updates and coverage by major UK news organizations.
Kensington Palace Confirms Surgery and Later Cancer Diagnosis for the Princess of Wales
On the same day as Queen Camilla’s public comment, January 18, 2024, Kensington Palace released a statement confirming that Catherine, Princess of Wales, had undergone planned abdominal surgery at The London Clinic.
The statement confirmed:
-
The surgery had been successful
-
She would remain in hospital for approximately 10–14 days
-
She was expected to return to public duties after Easter, depending on medical advice
No further medical details were provided at the time.
In March 2024, the Princess of Wales released a recorded video message confirming that she was undergoing treatment for cancer. The message was shared via Kensington Palace’s official channels and reported by all major UK and international news outlets. In the video, the Princess spoke about the importance of family support and asked for privacy while continuing treatment.
This was the first time she publicly confirmed the diagnosis herself.
Public Response and Global Support
Following both announcements, there was an outpouring of public goodwill toward the Royal Family. Messages of support came from world leaders, charities, public figures, and members of the public across the UK and internationally.
Major broadcasters, including BBC News, Sky News, and CNN, documented public gatherings, social media tributes, and messages from community organizations expressing encouragement to both King Charles and the Princess of Wales.
This response reflects the continued public interest in the Royal Family and the personal connection many people feel toward senior royals.
Prince William’s Public Duties During This Period
During the weeks following the announcements, Prince William temporarily reduced his public schedule to focus on family responsibilities. This adjustment was widely reported and acknowledged by Kensington Palace.
On April 18, 2024, Prince William returned to public-facing duties with a visit to the charity Surplus to Supper in Surrey. The engagement was listed in the Court Circular and covered by BBC News, ITV News, and other outlets.
During the visit, William met volunteers and staff working to reduce food waste and support vulnerable communities. According to multiple reputable reports, he accepted get-well cards addressed to both King Charles and the Princess of Wales and thanked those who expressed concern.
This appearance was notable not because of private conversations, but because it marked a visible return to routine engagements following several weeks focused on family care.
The Release of Prince Louis’s Birthday Photograph
In April 2024, Kensington Palace released an official birthday photograph of Prince Louis to mark his sixth birthday. The image was shared via the Prince and Princess of Wales’s official social media channels and was credited to Catherine, Princess of Wales, as the photographer.
This detail was confirmed in the caption accompanying the image and reported by outlets such as BBC News, The Guardian, and People magazine.
The release continued a long-standing tradition in which official photographs of the Wales children are shared with the public on their birthdays. The image was widely received as a positive moment during a challenging period for the family.
Letters and Messages From the Princess of Wales
Several public figures have confirmed receiving private written messages from the Princess of Wales at different times, including broadcaster Kate Garraway, who stated in interviews that she received a letter of condolence following a family bereavement. Her remarks were broadcast on national television and reported by reputable outlets.
Members of the public have also shared online that they received acknowledgment cards from Kensington Palace after sending well-wishes. While individual social media posts cannot always be independently verified, it is well established that royal households routinely send formal acknowledgments in response to large volumes of correspondence.
A Shift Toward Careful Transparency
One widely acknowledged development in 2024 has been the Royal Family’s approach to health-related communication. Both Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace made deliberate choices to share medical updates while still protecting personal privacy.
BBC royal editor Nicholas Witchell and other senior correspondents have noted that this approach reflects the changing expectations of the public in a digital age. However, these are professional assessments, not official statements.
What remains confirmed is that:
-
Both King Charles and the Princess of Wales chose to inform the public directly
-
Both emphasized the importance of privacy during treatment
-
Both expressed appreciation for public support
Conclusion: What Can Be Reliably Said
The events of early 2024 brought an unprecedented level of public attention to the health of senior members of the Royal Family. What is firmly established through official and reputable sources is:
-
King Charles III underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate and later confirmed a cancer diagnosis
-
Catherine, Princess of Wales, underwent surgery and later confirmed she is undergoing cancer treatment
-
Both palaces communicated through formal statements and verified channels
-
Prince William adjusted his duties temporarily and has since returned to selected engagements
-
The public response has been overwhelmingly supportive
Beyond these confirmed facts, responsible coverage avoids assumptions about private family matters or timelines for recovery.
As both Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace have emphasized, health and family remain the priority, and future engagements will be guided by medical advice rather than public expectation.