King Charles shares rare cancer update in emotional admission to hospital patients

King Charles has shared a rare cancer update in an emotional admission to hospital patients.

The 76-year-old monarch offered the insight after officially returning to work this week following a break in Balmoral over the summer.

On Wednesday (3 September), crowds gathered to meet Charles at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Birmingham as he officially opened the new facility.

During the visit, Charles, who is still undergoing treatment, opened up about how he was feeling while speaking to a 73-year-old cancer patient named Matthew Shinda.

Matthew told Charles he had prostate cancer, and said it was 'nice to see that [he’s recovering well]'.

"I’m not too bad, thank you very much," the King replied.

King Charles III spoke with prostate cancer patient Matthew Shinda during his visit to officially open the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Birmingham (PA)

The patient then added: "I’ve got what you’ve got. Last stage, I could go today, tomorrow."

While Charles' cancer was discovered during a procedure to fix an enlarged prostate in 2024, it is understood that the cancer itself was not of the prostate.

Additionally, Buckingham Palace has never disclosed what type he has been diagnosed with.

The King went on to tell Matthew that 'half the problem is detecting it, isn’t it, on time', before adding: "As long as they’re making you comfortable."

"The great thing I think is they’re getting better and better at dealing with these things. The trouble is there’s always hope down the road. I am sorry about that, it’s so frustrating. We’re probably about the same age are we?" Charles asked him.

The King also met with Jacqueline Page, 85, in one of the hospital's acute elderly care wards, where she told him that she was 'wearing out'.

Buckingham Palace has never disclosed what type of cancer the 76-year-old monarch has been diagnosed with (WPA Pool / Pool / Getty Images)

"I know, this is the terrible thing, as I am discovering already. The bits don't work so well when you get past 70," Charles responded.

In February of last year, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles had been diagnosed with an undisclosed cancer just weeks after he underwent a procedure for an enlarged prostate.

In a statement released just a few days after his cancer diagnosis was announced, Charles thanked well-wishers for their messages.

"I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days," he said.

"As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement."

The statement continued: "It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organisations which support cancer patients and their families across the UK and wider world.

"My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience."

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.