What do we know about King Charles’ cancer diagnosis so far? Your questions answered as the monarch, 75, steps back from royal duties to focus on his health

It was confirmed on Monday that King Charles III has been diagnosed with a form of cancer and is currently undergoing ‘regular’ outpatient treatment.

In an unusual announcement from the palace, which has traditionally kept a tight lid on all members of the royal family‘s health details, it was revealed doctors first noticed something amiss while the monarch was in hospital for an enlarged prostate.

Members of his family are rallying around Charles, with Prince Harry understood to be travelling to the UK this week.

It is the latest royal health scare after the Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital for planned abdominal surgery, which she could need up to three months to recover from.

As the world rushes to wish Charles well, MailOnline has gathered everything we know so far about the King’s diagnosis – and what happens next.

Charles (pictured in France in September) has been diagnosed with cancer , but Buckingham Palace has ensured the details of his case have been kept private

Members of his family are rallying around Charles, with Prince Harry understood to be travelling to the UK this week

What is King Charles’ diagnosis?

Charles has been diagnosed with cancer, but Buckingham Palace has ensured the details of his case have been kept private.

The palace has not confirmed what type of cancer the King has, or what stage it is, but is it understood that it is not prostate cancer and has been caught early.

No details as to the type of treatment the King is receiving have been released. 

How was the King diagnosed with cancer?

The 75-year-old monarch left the London Clinic last monday with Queen Camilla by his side

Charles had been admitted to hospital for surgery on January 26 for treatment to a benign enlarged prostate. 

He remained at The London Clinic for three nights before being discharged and returning home. 

But during the surgery doctors noticed ‘a separate issue of concern’, believed to be in a different part of the King’s body. It has since been confirmed to be cancer, with Charles being informed early last week.

Will King Charles still carry out his royal duties?

The King is famously a workaholic who takes after his late mother in being very hands-on with the business of monarchy.

But in a move which is sure to be a frustration to him, Buckingham Palace confirmed last night that his team of doctors has suggested he suspend all face-to-face royal duties.

It is likely Charles will continue ‘red box’ matters of state and continue to meet with the Prime Minister, which can take place via telephone or video call.

However the public is likely to see less of the monarch in public for the forseeable future, in order to protect him during treatment and prevent him from picking up any other illnesses.

Is Prince Harry returning to the UK?

Prince Harry (pictured with wife Meghan Markle in June 2022) is to return to the UK as early as today

King Charles told both his sons, Prince Harry and Prince William, and his siblings of his cancer diagnosis personally before any official announcement was made.

Prince Harry is set to return to the UK and could arrive on British soil as early as lunchtime on Tuesday.

A luxury Range Rover believed to be carrying the British royal was seen arriving at LAX’s VIP terminal last night and there are claims he boarded the earliest flight and could be in London by lunchtime. 

It is understood the Duke of Sussex cleared his schedule after speaking with his father over the phone and immediately prepared to travel to London. At present, his wife Meghan Markle and the couple’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will remain at their Montecito home. 

Last time the Prince flew to the UK was in September, for the Well Child Awards, where he stayed in a hotel. 

Announcing that Prince Harry will come and see his father, the Office of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said: ‘The duke did speak with his father about his diagnosis. He will be traveling to UK to see His Majesty in the coming days.’

Will Prince Harry reconcile with Prince William? 

It is reported Meghan Markle and their two children – Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet – will not be joining Harry, and it is unknown if he will see his brother while in the UK

It is unknown if Prince Harry and his brother will meet while the Duke of Sussex is in the UK.

The pair’s relationship substantially deteriorated following the release of Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary and Harry’s memoir Spare.

Experts have urged the Duke of Sussex to put the past behind him and rally around his family at its time of need. 

Prince William is facing a particularly busy period as he takes on more duties for his father, while also taking care of the Princess of Wales, who is recovering from her own health scare. 

Who is in charge?

The King (pictured with Camilla after leaving The London Clinic on January 29) spent last night at home in London after beginning out-patient cancer treatment

The nation will be relieved to know that King Charles remains in charge of the royal family and continues to represent the UK constitutionally around the world.

Should the monarch become too ill to rule at any point, the Counsellors of State would take over on his behalf, but this is not anticipated at this stage.

While the monarch remains in post, many of the day-to-day public engagements will instead be carried out by other members of the royal family. 

Who are the Counsellors of State?

The Princess Royal (pictured handing out investitures on Tuesday morning) is one of the Counselors of State

Provisions for Counsellors of State are made under the Regency Acts 1937 to 1953 and those who can currently stand in for Charles include Queen Camilla and the four most senior adults in the line of succession over the age of 21 – the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of York and Princess Beatrice.

In 2022, the King asked Parliament to add his youngest brother the Duke of Edinburgh and sister the Princess Royal as extra Counsellors of State so they can deputise for him if need be, and the addition was fast-tracked into law.

The legislation did add Anne and Edward to the list, but stopped short of removing Andrew and Harry. However, the House of Lords heard only ‘working members’ of the royal family would be called upon to act as Counsellors of State.

Which members of the royal family will take on Charles’ duties?

It is likely that other members of the royal family will take on an increased number of visits and public duties while King Charles is receiving regular treatment as an outpatient.

Heir to the throne Prince William is likely to return to public duties, having previously stepped back temporarily in order to care for his wife, who is recovering from abdominal surgery.

Other working royals including Princess Anne, Prince Edward and the younger working royals are also expected to step up in the King’s absence. 

What happens next?

There is little precedent to demonstrate what will happen now that King Charles has taken the extraordinary step to reveal his cancer diagnosis publicly.

His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was extremely private around her health and would no doubt not have shared such news with the country. 

As ever the palace has stressed it will not be providing a running commentary on the King’s health, meaning it is unlikely many more official announcements will be made.

The King is expected to continue what royal duties he can until further notice, with experts saying he could be out of the limelight until at least March.