The cancer patient Charles: The diseases of the members of the royal family

King Charles began treatment after a cancer diagnosiswith the monarch retiring from public duties on the advice of doctors.

Members of the royal family are understood to often keep their health problems a secret, but Buckingham Palace said the king had chosen to “share his diagnosis to prevent speculation”.

Elsewhere in the announcement it is noted: “King Charles did this in the hope that it can help other people fighting cancer around the world.”

Let’s look at other cases of British monarchs who have been diagnosed with a serious illness and other health problems.

Queen Elizabeth

The King’s mother, Queen Elizabeth IIgenerally lived a life free of serious health problems, but diagnosed with coronavirus in February 2022.

In the months leading up to her death aged 96 in September 2022, there were concerns about her mobility after he missed the official opening of that year’s Parliament.

In October 2021, the Queen spent a night at King Edward VII Hospital in central London after canceled a visit to Northern Ireland. It was not clear why he was hospitalized.

Buckingham Palace said he was admitted for “preliminary checks” but returned to Windsor Castle a day later and “remained in good spirits.” It was her first overnight stay in hospital, the previous being due to a case of gastroenteritis in 2013.

Prince Philip

THE Prince Philiphusband of Queen Elizabeth II and father of King Charles, died aged 99 in April 2021.

A month earlier he had undergone a successful operation for a pre-existing heart condition.

In 2012, he missed the Queen’s Jubilee celebrationss, as he was hospitalized for several days with a bladder infection.

In 2011, the Duke of Edinburgh was rushed to hospital by helicopter from Sandringham due to chest pains. He underwent surgery and a stent was placed.

Two years earlier, prince philip was involved in a car accident when his vehicle was hit by another car. He was not injured, but was examined by a doctor as a precaution.

Princess Margaret

The Queen’s sister suffered several strokes in the years before her death in 2002.

In 1999, she suffered burns to her feet from hot water in the bathroom, which affected her ability to walk.

Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was the wife of King George VI of the United Kingdom and mother of Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret. She was Queen of the United Kingdom from 1936 until her husband’s death in 1952, after which she was called Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother to avoid confusion with her daughter. She was also the last Empress of India.

Queen Elizabeth II’s mother, who died aged 101 in 2002, suffered from persistent ulcers on her left leg and hip problems, which made walking difficult in later life. In 1995 she had a hip replacement on her right leg and three years later on the left as well.

King George VI

Albert, Frederick, Arthur, George, born 14 December 1895 at York Cottage, Sandringham. The date of his birth coincided with the death of his great-grandfather, Prince Albert (14-12-1861), husband of Queen Victoria and in whose honor he was named. He was the second son of George, Duke of York (later King George V) and Mary, Duchess of York, born Princess of Teck. When he was born he was fourth in line to the throne of England and nothing foretold that he would reign after four decades.

In 1951, King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II, had part of his left lung removed. He never fully recovered and died a year later when it was revealed that he was suffering from lung cancer.

King George VI was a smoker and suffered from an advanced form of peripheral artery disease, which caused intermittent lameness. The most common cause is atherosclerosis which can narrow an artery (stenosis) or close it completely (occlusion). Atherosclerosis is a process of aging, but it occurs earlier in people who smoke and those who have diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. When this condition affects the abdominal aorta, iliac, femoral, popliteal or tibial arteries, i.e. the arteries that supply blood to the lower limbs, it is called peripheral occlusive arterial disease or peripheral vascular disease.

Prince Edward VIII

Prince Edward VIII, who was the brother of King George VI and uncle of Queen Elizabeth II, was king until he abdicated in January 1963. Like his brother, he was a heavy smoker and died in 1972 of cancer .

Sarah, Duchess of York

Sarah, Duchess of York, who was married to Prince Andrew, was diagnosed with skin cancer in January 2024, just six months after being treated for breast cancer. She had also undergone a mastectomy.