Buckingham Palace’s shocking announcement that King Charles has cancer stopped short of sharing his exact diagnosis.
“In time we might know,” royal biographer Robert Hardman tells PEOPLE exclusively in this week’s issue. “But for now, there is a feeling that they have been pretty open.”
On Monday, the palace revealed the news in a 138-word statement that concluded, “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.
” Two days later, the royal family’s social media team posted a graphic in partnership with the U.K. charity Macmillan Cancer Support to highlight resources for cancer information and support.
We hope that by sharing his diagnosis so publicly, His Majesty The King will encourage others to reach out for support if they are concerned about cancer.
If you have any potential signs or symptoms you’re worried about, speak to your GP to get them checked.
We offer… pic.twitter.com/3vQuMUkKLC
— Macmillan Cancer Support (@macmillancancer) February 7, 2024
Although the exact nature of the King’s diagnosis was kept private, the news shared more than past health announcements related to royal family members.
King George VI’s lung cancer diagnosis was revealed only after he died in 1952, and news of Princess Margaret’s lung operation in 1985 was shared after surgery. The announcement of Queen Camilla’s 2007 hysterectomy didn’t specify the reason behind it, and the nature of the abdominal surgery Prince Philip had in 2013 has never been disclosed.
Most recently, the announcement of Kate Middleton’s “planned abdominal surgery” was publicized after the procedure had been completed, and the Kensington Palace statement didn’t include any condition details. PEOPLE understands the issue is non-cancerous, and Princess Kate was discharged from the hospital on Jan. 29 to continue her recovery at home. She’s not expected to return to royal duties in public until after Easter.
One week after Princess Kate left the hospital, Buckingham Palace announced that the King, 75, was diagnosed with “a form of cancer.”
Although the statement offered few details, the palace did reveal that when King Charles underwent his recent prostate procedure, a separate issue of concern was detected and “subsequent diagnostic tests have revealed the presence of a form of cancer.” (Despite his recent procedure, it is not prostate cancer, a spokesman confirmed.)
Those close to the family were taken aback by the news. “I was really shocked when I heard it,” says a palace insider.