The King has been diagnosed with cancer and has started treatment today, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The diagnosis comes following treatment for an enlarged prostate, although the palace said he does not have prostate cancer.

The palace has not confirmed what type of cancer the 75-year-old monarch has.

Follow live: King chose to share diagnosis to ‘prevent speculation’

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The Duke of Sussex has spoken to his father about his diagnosis and will travel to Britain to see him in the coming days, said a source close to Prince Harry.

A palace spokesperson said: “His Majesty has been treated for benign prostate enlargement.

“It was during this intervention that the separate issue of concern was noted and subsequently diagnosed as a form of cancer.

“This second condition will now receive appropriate treatment.”

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The monarch has begun a schedule of regular treatments and has been advised by doctors to postpone his public-facing duties.

Read more: Full statement from Buckingham Palace

Yesterday, the King was photographed waving after he and the Queen attended a church service in Sandringham, Norfolk.

It was his first public appearance since being discharged from the London Clinic last Monday.

The King underwent a procedure for an enlarged prostate, spending three nights in hospital in late January.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said today: “The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure.”

The palace also said His Majesty “remains wholly positive about his treatment” and “looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible”.

The statement added that the King had 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”.

Royal correspondent

The statement from Buckingham Palace this evening is significant and serious.

It is unusual to see a public statement about such a private issue.

This is not something we would have seen perhaps in previous years.

But the King right from the start was keen to share details of his diagnosis, especially when it came to an enlarged prostate.

He was keen to raise public awareness and keen to encourage other men to get themselves checked.

We were told to expect a short period of recuperation following the operation. We now know this could be much longer.

The King travelled from Sandringham to London this morning to begin treatment as an outpatient. He is at home in London this evening.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reacted to the news of the King’s cancer diagnosis by writing on X: “Wishing His Majesty a full and speedy recovery.

“I have no doubt he’ll be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will be wishing him well.”

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