Why King Charles won’t reveal what type of cancer he has

King Charles’ recent update about his cancer diagnosis appeared to be missing one key detail: the type of cancer he has.

The British monarch made a rare statement about his own health during a Stand Up To Cancer broadcast on 12 December.

He shared the news of his cancer diagnosis in February last year, through a message from Buckingham Palace.

The announcement came just before his daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, revealed she was receiving treatment for the same disease.

This meant the 77-year-old had to postpone all of his public-facing engagements and carry out his head-of-state responsibilities from the palace as he underwent treatment.

Since February 2024, the King has been receiving outpatient cancer treatment, but he was able to return to work in April following positive progress.

The King addressed his health in a rare speech (Channel 4)

Up until now, we haven’t heard much from the monarch regarding his health, but on Channel 4's annual edition of Stand Up To Cancer, he got candid.

Just not about the cancer type.

Similarly, Kate didn’t specify her cancer type either when she shared how she went into remission in January 2025 after receiving treatment.

As for why King Charles didn’t mention what cancer he is being treated for, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson revealed that it’s a deliberate act so that he can advocate without shining a specific light on just one type.

"The advice from cancer experts is that, in his determination to support the whole cancer community, it is preferable that His Majesty does not address his own specific condition but rather speaks to those affected by all forms of the disease," said a spokesperson, as per People.

However, the Palace went on to say that the King does not have prostate cancer, which was speculated after he was treated for an apparent ‘enlarged prostate’ prior to his diagnosis.

In his message, the monarch shared his ‘overwhelming’ diagnosis and how important it is to detect cancer in its early stages.

The King revealed that he’s on a positive path, stating in a pre-recorded message: "Today I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders,’ my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the New Year.

"This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years; testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the fifty percent of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives."

Since his speech, the Palace revealed that King Charles 'will be particularly pleased at the way it has helped to shine a light on the benefits of cancer screening programmes', the BBC reports.

The statement continued: "It has long been the King's view that if some public good can come from sharing elements of his personal diagnosis and treatment journey, then it would be his pleasure and duty to do so.

"His thoughts and warmest wishes will remain with all those affected by cancer and those who care for them."

Tyla has contacted Buckingham Palace for further comment.

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.