London, Thanasis Gavos

Words and phrases such as ‘shock’, ‘concern’ and ‘lightning in the air’ welcome columnists, royal editors and social media users to United Kingdom the news officially announced by Buckingham Palace at 6pm that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer.

The statement said that during the 75-year-old monarch’s recent three-day hospitalization for a benign prostate condition, a discrete health issue of concern arose.

After further diagnostic tests it was found that it is some form of cancer, without the Palace announcing or intending to announce where the tumor has appeared, at what stage and of what severity it is. All that has been said is that it is not prostate cancer.

Charles returned on Monday morning from the Sandringham in London, immediately starting a “program of regular treatments”.

Following medical recommendations, he will abstain from his public duties for a period that is still too early to determine. Nevertheless, he will continue to exercise his state duties, receiving, studying and signing the government documents that the respective monarch receives in the famous red briefcases.

The weekly hearings with the prime minister will continue, even if at some point the doctors judge that face-to-face meetings should be limited. A formula will also be found to continue the meetings of the monarch’s special council, which includes government and state officials.

The announcement conveyed his gratitude king to his medical team for the quick diagnosis and added that Charles remains “absolutely positive” about his treatment and is looking forward to a full return to duty.

It concluded with the note that Charles chose to share his diagnosis to avoid speculation, which would inevitably begin due to his absence from public appearances, but also in the hope that it might help public understanding of those affected by cancer.

Palace sources also pointed out that Mr Charles he is a supporter of many cancer charities and has often spoken of the need to support cancer patients and those working to find cures.

The extensive level of information from the Palace has caused a sensation, as was done with the information about the operation on the prostate. The move confirms as much as possible Charles’ intention to make the royal family potentially more accessible.

It is understood the king broke the news himself to his family, including Harry, Duke of Sussex, who will travel to London within days to be close to his father.

Some of Charles’ duties will be taken over by the remaining active members of the royal family, with Queen Camilla playing a “significant” role while also continuing her own full schedule of duties.

Some tasks will be undertaken by her prince William of Waleswho is expected to return to his schedule this week after taking several weeks off to support his own family following the other undisclosed health issue at the Palace, Kate Middleton’s major abdominal surgery.

There is, however, no plan, nor prospect of need, to appoint members of the royal family as replacements for the king. The so-called “councilors of state” are chosen from among the adults in the line of succession to the throne in the event that the monarch is unable to meet the institution’s requirements for health reasons.

The Palace does not intend to give regular updates on the progress of the king’s health, nor to reveal the name of the hospital where the treatment will take place, asking to respect the private and so sensitive moments of Charles.

Factors such as the degree of protection of the patient’s privacy, the presence of the most appropriate specialists, but also the impact on other diseases and available hospital resources have been taken into account in the decision on where to treat.