King Charles’ Health Journey: From Facial Growth & Swollen Fingers to Enlarged Prostate & Cancer Diagnosis

On February 5, 2024, the world was taken aback by the news of King Charles’ cancer diagnosis. Buckingham Palace, in a statement, revealed that the King’s cancer was discovered during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.

The type of cancer remains undisclosed, adding an element of mystery to the King’s health status. The 75-year-old monarch has begun regular treatments and has decided to temporarily reduce his public engagements.

Part of the statement read, “Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.”

Despite the severity of his condition, the King remains optimistic about his treatment and is eager to return to his full public responsibilities as soon as possible.

The King’s decision to share his diagnosis publicly was driven by a desire to prevent speculation and to foster public understanding for all those affected by cancer worldwide.

Before the cancer diagnosis, King Charles was undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate, deemed benign by Buckingham Palace, at the London Clinic.

Around the same time, his daughter-in-law, Kate, the Princess of Wales, was also admitted to the hospital following abdominal surgery for an unknown condition. King Charles, accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla, departed from the clinic on the afternoon of January 29, 2024.

A week after the operation, the royal pair were seen attending Sunday services near their country residence in Norfolk, England.

Ignoring questions from reporters, the King greeted well-wishers with a cheerful wave outside St. Mary Magdalene Church near Sandringham, marking his first public appearance post-hospitalization.

Following his discharge from the hospital, the Palace expressed its gratitude to the medical team and everyone who supported the King during his hospital visit. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak further elaborated on the Palace statement, indicating that the cancer was detected at an early stage.

Today, February 6, is a significant date for King Charles and the royal family as it commemorates the anniversary of the death of his grandfather, George VI.

This day, always remembered by the late Queen Elizabeth at Sandringham, saw George VI’s passing in 1952, leading to the ascension of his daughter Elizabeth to the throne.

The announcement of King Charles’ cancer diagnosis has triggered a surge in public demand for more information. Social media reactions have been varied, with numerous users remarking on the King’s apparent aging over the past year.

One user candidly expressed, “He’s really aged over the past year. IMO.” Echoing this sentiment, another user noted, “He looks like he has aged 10 years in a few days.” The shock was palpable in another comment, “Omg, what the hell happened to King Charles??? He’s aged so much.”

The monarch has faced many health issues over the years. However, the public’s focus on his health intensified following his ascension to the throne.

Charles ascended to the throne after the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. In the lead-up to his coronation, King Charles’ health, specifically his swollen fingers, attracted public interest.

GP Chun Tang, Medical Director at Pall Mall Medical in Manchester, explained that “sausage” fingers, medically referred to as dactylitis, could be a sign of various health issues. These issues range from arthritis and bacterial infections to high salt levels and autoimmune diseases.

In a letter to a friend, King Charles amusingly described his hands as “sausage fingers” while talking about his newborn son, Prince William. His swollen hands and feet were especially noticeable during his 2019 royal tour in India and while having a pint at The Prince of Wales pub in Clapham Old Town in 2021.

When Charles was born, the Queen expressed her delight in a letter to her music teacher. She mentioned how sweet the baby was and how proud they were of him.

The Queen also remarked on his unusual hands. She wrote,” He has an interesting pair of hands for a baby. They are rather large, but with fine long fingers quite unlike mine and certainly unlike his father’s.”

The queen added that it would be exciting to see how Charles’ hands turn out to be. As for Philip, when he was asked what his baby son looked like, he said with characteristic bluntness: ‘A plum pudding’.

However, the exact cause of the King’s swollen hands remains unknown. King Charles’ medical history also includes the removal of a non-cancerous growth from his face in 2008.

The procedure was performed at Clarence House without the need for a local anesthetic. In 1998, he had laser keyhole surgery at King Edward VII Hospital in London to fix his right knee, which had been causing him discomfort due to problems with cartilage.