When was King Charles diagnosed with cancer? And when did he first go back to work? A timeline of the events that led to today’s update
The world was left in a state of shock after Buckingham Palace announced King Charles’ cancer diagnosis.
The Palace confirmed that the monarch would be undergoing treatment for the disease on February 5 – sparking an outpouring of well-wishes and sympathies from around the globe.
Charles’ wife Queen Camilla has been firmly at his side throughout the treatment, visiting him at hospital three times and one day and attending church with him on their Sandringham estate.
Here, MailOnline takes a look at the sequence of events that led to today’s update on the King’s health.
Buckingham Palace have shared a major update regarding King Charles health following his cancer diagnosis in February
MailOnline takes a look at the timeline of events since the palace confirmed his cancer diagnosis
January 17, 2024: King Charles shares he has an ‘enlarged prostate’
Buckingham Palace shared that King Charles would be receiving treatment for an ‘enlarged prostate’.
‘In common with thousands of men each year, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate,’ the statement from the palace read.
At the time, they said His Majesty’s condition was ‘benign’, adding that he would be going to hospital for a ‘corrective procedure’ the following week.
They continued: ‘The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.’
It was believed the monarch wanted to was understood that the King wanted to share his experience in the hopes it would encourage others experiencing symptoms to seek medical advice.
January 26: King Charles undergoes surgery
A week later, the head of state was spotted heading into the private London Clinic with Queen Camilla by his side.
Kate Middleton also underwent treatment at the same hospital.
According to People, the King had arrived at the medical centre to see the Princess of Wales before his surgery.
Later on Friday January 26, Charles made his way to the London Clinic from Clarence House at 8.30am.
‘The King was this morning admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment,’ Buckingham Palace said.
‘His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness.’
January 27: Queen Camilla visits him in hospital
Queen Camilla was spotted visiting King Charles in hospital for the three times in one day following King Charles’ prostate surgery
The Queen first arrived with the King for his appointment at about 9am on January 27 (pictured)
Following the confirmation from Buckingham Palace, Queen Camilla visited her husband three separate times in one day.
Camilla’s car was seen driving to the rear entrance of the private hospital in Marylebone at 6.34pm on the Saturday.
She was then seen leaving the hospital in the back seat just before 8pm.
The Queen insisted on being by her husband’s side, having initially accompanied him for his procedure at around 9am after they were driven together from Clarence House in a low-key convoy without police outriders.
At around 3pm yesterday, Camilla had given royal fans and reporters a positive update, telling them ‘he’s fine, thank you’ as she walked out of the clinic.
January 29 – King Charles leaves hospital
Three days after his prostate surgery King Charles waved to well-wishers as he left the London Clinic (pictured)
Three days following his surgery the monarch left hospital with his wife Queen Camilla by his side.
As they walked from the hospital to their car, the Queen acknowledged the building crowds by waving.
Buckingham Palace later confirmed the monarch had been discharged from hospital following a medical procedure.
They added that the King’s upcoming public engagements would be rescheduled to allow the king ‘a period of private recuperation’.
‘He would like to thank the medical team and all those involved in supporting his hospital visit, and is grateful for all the kind messages he has received in recent days,’ the statement read.
February 4: Charles seen for first time since leaving the hospital
On February 4, he was spotted for the first time since leaving hospital heading to a Sunday service on his Sandringham estate
He attended the service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk with his wife
King Charles was spotted for the first time since he left the hospital on February 4.
Charles had returned home from London to his Sandringham home to begin his out-patient treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
Alongside his wife, the monarch waved to members of the public outside St Mary Magdalene Church near Norfolk home.
Both King Charles and Queen Camilla seen heading to a Sunday service alongside Rev Canon Dr Paul Williams.
February 5: Buckingham Palace confirm cancer diagnosis
The day after the Sunday service, Buckingham Palace announced the King had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer (Pictured: in France last September)
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: ‘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’
A day after Charles attended Sunday service, it was confirmed by Buckingham Palace that an unspecified form of cancer had been found during his treatment.
Charles informed close family by phone, including estranged son Harry later flew back from his home in California to see his father.
The Buckingham Palace statement read: ‘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,’ the palace said in a statement.
‘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.’
They added: ‘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 who are affected by cancer.’
February 6: King Charles seen for first time since cancer news
King Charles arrived back at the Norfolk country house with Queen Camilla after meeting his son Prince Harry for less than an hour in their first face-to-face encounter for nine months
Charles headed back to his home in Sandringham (pictured) via helicopter after the brief meeting with his estranged son
A day later Charles was seen for the first time driving from Clarence House London following the update about the monarch’s health.
The royal couple waved to onlookers from their vehicle as they supposedly travelled to Buckingham Palace – later travelling to Sandringham House via helicopter.
His son, Prince Harry flew from California to be by his father’s side following the shock diagnosis.
The Duke of Sussex had a ‘brief meeting’ with his father hours after touching down at Heathrow following an 11-hour British Airways flight from his home in California.
His wife Meghan Markle and children, Archie and Lilibet, stayed behind.
Harry was spotted in the back of a Range Rover that drove in a large convoy through the gates of Clarence House, where Charles, 75, is resting following treatment.
Harry left LAX for London last night after Charles called him personally to tell him the devastating news
February 10: King Charles shares a message for first time since cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave the public a ‘heartfelt thanks’ for their messages of support following the update on his health (pictured in 2023)
A few days later the King spoke for the first time regarding his cancer diagnosis, thanking the public for the public for their messages of support.
‘I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days,’ the monarch said.
‘As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.’
He also added that is was ‘heartening’ to hear how his diagnosis helped shed light on organisations helping cancer patients and their loved ones.
‘It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organizations which support cancer patients and their families across the U.K. and wider world,’ he said.
‘My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience.’
King Charles and Queen Camilla, pictured heading to church on February 18
This was the first time the couple had been spotted going to the St Mary Magdalene Church since his cancer diagnosis was revealed
February 18: The Royal couple head to church
During February the monarch was seen going to St Mary Magdalene Church on his Sandringham estate alongside Queen Camilla.
As previously mentioned, the monarch had returned to his Norfolk home from London so could undergo out-patient cancer treatment as well as have meetings with staff.
Charles kept quite private at Sandringham whilst he continued to tend to his responsibilities away from the public eye.
February 21 : King Charles first meeting with the Prime Minister
King Charles met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Buckingham Palace with the pair seen smiling during their first face-to-face meeting since the monarch’s cancer diagnosis
The monarch and Prime Minister also shared a joke or two during the meeting
King Charles III held his first face-to-face meeting with the Prime Minister since it was revealed he is battling cancer.
He revealed to Rishi Sunak that the ‘wonderful messages and cards’ he had received since his diagnosis have ‘reduced me to tears.’
In what was their first audience of the year, his majesty appeared to be in good spirits on February 21.
The Prime Minister told the King that it was ‘very nice to see you’, to which Charles responded: ‘A bit of a gap I’m afraid,’ referring to the disruption to their weekly meetings.
Mr Sunak reassured him that ‘we’re all behind you, the country is behind you’, and added that it was ‘wonderful to see you looking so well.’ In typical good humour, the King jokingly replied: ‘Well, it’s all done by mirrors, really.’
Before the pair’s private discussion, the 75-year-old monarch also met with members of the Privy Council in person on Tuesday evening.
March 21 : Queen Camilla shares health update
During a trip to Northern Ireland, the Queen told well wishers that the monarch was ‘doing very well’ as his cancer battle continued.
She told members of the public the King, who has been receiving treatment for cancer, was ‘disappointed’ not to be able to join her there.
Instead, Charles was spotted being driven away from Clarence House in central London.
He then held private audiences with diplomats at Buckingham Palace.
March 31: Easter Sunday Service
At the end of March a sea of well-wishers emerged to see the King as he attended Easter Service at Windsor church (pictured)
The King and Queen waved as they arrive at St George’s Chapel in Windsor earlier. They were seated away from members of the public
At the end of March a sea of well-wishers emerged to see the King – from afar – as he attended Easter Service at Windsor church.
Upon strict doctor’s advice, King Charles and Queen Camilla were seated slightly apart from the rest of the royals and the wider congregation.
Charles and Queen Camilla attended the Easter Matins Service – as it is officially known – from 10.45am until 11.45am,
The first royal appearance since the King started receiving treatment for cancer, signalled a ‘gentle’ return to the public stage, insiders told the Sunday Express.
The King’s attendance at the service in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, is a ‘sign of things heading in the right direction’, a palace source told The Telegraph.
April 9: Bank of England present new King Charles bank notes
King Charles III (left) was presented with the first bank notes featuring his portrait from the Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey at Buckingham Palace
The King and Mr Bailey were joined by Sarah John (right), the Bank of England’s Chief Cashier, whose signature appears on the currency
Pictured are one side of the £5 and £10 bank notes which bear a portrait of King Charles III, and which will enter circulation on June 5, 2024
Over a week later King Charles was greeted by the governor of the Bank of England where he was presented the first banknotes bearing his portrait.
His Majesty appeared to be pleased, quipping the bank notes had been ‘very well designed’.
He was also shocked to discover that he was only the second monarch to feature on a bank note.
‘Good morning Governor. I’m sorry it’s a bit delayed this. I hope it isn’t too delayed,’ Charles he told Andrew Bailey.
But Mr Bailey replied: ‘Not at all. We’re still in advance of launching them.’
Charles remarked: ‘Oh you are? Great.’
Sarah John, the Bank of England’s Chief Cashier, whose signature appears on the currency, also joined the pair at the historic meeting.
