Today host Karl Stefanovic reveals his ‘shock’ at discovering King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer – as Prince Harry flies back to the UK from LA without Meghan to visit his father

Karl Stefanovic, along with the rest of Australia, was left ‘shocked’ on Tuesday morning upon discovering King Charles III has cancer. 

The Today host, 49, appeared stunned when he delivered the news on his breakfast show alongside co-anchor Sarah Abo in the early hours of the morning. 

As statements rolled in from Buckingham Palace on The King’s health, the television presenter wore a forlorn expression during his reports. 

‘We’re all waking up to shocking news this morning,’ he told viewers.

Just moments earlier, Sarah, 36, exclaimed the news of the monarch’s decline in health ‘came out of the blue’. 

Karl Stefanovic, along with the rest of Australia, was left ‘shocked’ on Tuesday morning when he woke up to discover King Charles III, 75, (pictured) has cancer

The King, 75, was most recently reported to be ‘hugely positive’ following the shock news of his cancer diagnosis.

Family and friends were said to be amazed by his determination to carry on with ‘business as usual’, as it’s understood his condition has been caught very early and the prognosis is good.

Charles has been making frequent Sunday night trips in recent months to Windsor Castle to spend time with Prince William, The Sun reported, with the father and son becoming closer. 

Buckingham Palace dramatically revealed that doctors had discovered an unspecified form of cancer during treatment for a benign prostate condition.

The Today host, 49, (left) appeared stunned when he delivered the news on his breakfast show alongside co-anchor Sarah Abo, 36, (right) in the early hours of the morning. ‘We’re all waking up to shocking news this morning,’ he told viewers

Charles informed close family by phone, including estranged son Harry who will fly back from his home in California to see his father. 

Harry’s wife Meghan and their two children will not be joining him, a source has revealed.

The Duke of Sussex will soon be leaving the United States for Britain to be reunited with his father, after King Charles contacted both of his sons personally to tell them of his cancer diagnosis, before it was announced by Buckingham Palace.

But Harry’s wife Meghan Markle and their children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, will stay in LA.

A source close to Harry said that he had immediately decided to come to the UK as soon as possible to be by his father’s side. Experts have claimed that Harry’s dash to Britain ‘indicates the seriousness’ of The King’s condition.

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.’

It is not known where the Duke of Sussex will stay when he visits the UK as he will need permission from Buckingham Palace to stay on a royal estate.

King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer , Buckingham Palace announced in a statement this evening. Above: Charles was last seen waving to well-wishers as he attended a service with his wife Queen Camilla at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Sunday

Buckingham Palace said in a statement tonight: ‘During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer’

Harry returned the keys to Frogmore Cottage last June when the prince and his wife Meghan Markle vacated the property. His request to stay at Windsor Castle was knocked back by the Palace when he last visited the UK in September and Harry ended up staying in a hotel. 

It will be the first time the pair have spent any significant time together in more than 18 months. Royal watchers were asking whether it might herald a thaw in relations.

Charles arrived in London yesterday morning from his Sandringham estate with his wife Camilla to start out-patient treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

She will be at her husband’s side throughout but has insisted on continuing with her public engagements. Other members of the Royal Family will be stepping up to stand in for the sovereign, including the Prince of Wales, who will return to duties tomorrow after his own wife’s medical issues.

The King, pictured in France last September, will continue working behind the scenes on red boxes and constitutional duties, but public duties have been paused and will be shared amongst his family

Prince Harry will fly to London from California to be by his father’s side – the first time the pair would have spent any significant time together in the last 18 months 

The Prince of Wales will return to royal duties today following his wife’s medical issues and will be stepping up to stand in for the sovereign, alongside other members of the Royal Family

While cancelling all his public engagements, Charles is insisting on carrying on with his ‘red boxes’ of paperwork and he may even conduct a small number of face-to-face private meetings.

The Mail learned that The King has known about his diagnosis since early last week, insisting on going to church in Norfolk on Sunday and waving warmly to well-wishers. 

Camilla also stoically insisted on opening a new Maggie’s cancer care unit in London on Wednesday in the knowledge that her husband was about to have treatment.

She carefully told well-wishers at the Royal Free Hospital that he was ‘getting on, doing his best’. A source said: ‘Full credit to her. She has been marvellous.’

In a statement Buckingham Palace said: ‘During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.

‘His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake state business and official paperwork as usual.

It is reported Meghan Markle and their two children – Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet – will not be joining Harry 

‘The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. 

‘He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible. His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world affected by cancer.’

Royal aides said they were carefully balancing The King’s right to privacy at a difficult and sensitive time with his role as head of state. But he hopes by sharing the news, it will enable accurate reporting of his condition and prevent speculation on an issue that affects so many other families.

No further details of which cancer he has been diagnosed with are being shared, aside from emphasising it is not prostate cancer, which is the biggest cancer killer of men in the UK each year.

It is being stressed it was found only when The King had treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.