King Charles’ Poignant Decision to Not Reveal His Specific Type of Cancer Was a ‘Conscious Choice’: Report

Mar. 15, 2025

King Charles during his visit to Kinneil House during the British Royal Family’s Royal Week in Scotland on July 3, 2023 in Edinburgh, Scotland.Photo:Andrew Milligan - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Andrew Milligan - WPA Pool/Getty Images

After announcing his cancer diagnosis earlier this year,King Charleshas not shared what specific type of cancer he has — and there may be a poignant reason why.

The Timescited a palace source who said “that the King’s decision not to reveal the type of cancer was a conscious choice to be able to reach out to the widest number of people who are experiencing the disease, rather than narrow the focus onto a particular form of cancer,” the outlet reported. (The palace did confirm earlier this year that the King does not have prostate cancer.)

King Charles smiles during The King’s Foundation’s annual ‘Crafts at Christmas’ at Highgrove Gardens on Dec. 13, 2024 in Tetbury, England.Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty

Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty

The move harkens back to the King’s decision to share news of his surgery to correct an enlarged prostate before the procedure happened in January. As PEOPLE reported at the time, Charles’ decision to highlight his diagnosis prompted a 1,000% increase in searches about prostate enlargement on theU.K.’s National Health Service website.

“He was lauded for doing so [coming forward with his health news], with commentators saying he had ushered in a new era of transparency in matters of health and the royal family,” royal biographer Robert Jobsonsaid earlier this year.

After the January surgery to correct the benign enlarged prostate, cancer was detected, and the King announced on Feb. 5 that he was beginning treatment for the still undisclosed type of cancer.The Timesreported that his courtiers assumed Charles would want privacy as he began treatment, so they planned for low-key cars with blacked-out windows to drive him around London — but the King said no.

“He was determined to remain visible throughout,” a source toldThe Times. “A plan was put in place to use the state Bentley so he could be seen more easily. He really wanted to reassure people that he was okay. The King made it clear that he felt his condition was nothing to be shied away from.”

King Charles waves as he departs with Queen Camilla after receiving treatment for an enlarged prostate at The London Clinic on Jan. 29, 2024 in London, England.Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

PEOPLE reported Dec. 20 that the King’s cancer treatment will continue into the new year but is moving “in a very positive direction,” palace sources confirmed, adding that it is “a managed condition.”

“The treatment cycle will continue into next year,” sources added.

According to a senior palace aide speaking toThe Times,“I think if there were two words that summed up this extraordinary year, it would be ‘resilience’ and ‘dynamism.’ For all the challenges the individuals and the institution have faced, they have not only overcome them but adapted, with new ways of working, refreshed priorities and a clearer sense of what this new reign will look like.”

“The King is an emotional man,” a palace source toldThe Timesof Charles, 76. “As he has said himself, there have been a few tears this year — not out of self-pity, but in response to the kindness or courage of others.”

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (L) kisses Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge as they arrive for the World Premiere of the James Bond 007 film “No Time to Die” at the Royal Albert Hall in west London on Sept. 28, 2021.Chris Jackson/Getty

Chris Jackson/Getty

Charles hasonly grown closerto his daughter-in-lawKate Middleton, who also had a procedure in January, hers for a “planned abdominal surgery,” that detected cancer. Kate, 42, announced her diagnosis in March and later announced on Sept. 9 thather chemotherapy treatment had ended. After her March video announcement telling the world she had been diagnosed with cancer, the King said he was “so proud of Catherine for her courage.”

“Even before this, there was already the greatest affection between the King and the Princess of Wales,” a source toldThe Times. “They would often exchange letters on all manner of family minutiae, and this has been a challenge that has bonded them even more.”

Sarah Ferguson— who has also faced down cancer this year —told PEOPLEin September that Charles and Kate “are an example to all families going through their own journeys of health.”

King Charles Queen Camilla wave at well wishers during there visit to the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre on April 30, 2024 in London, England.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

“The King, you know, became the patron of theCancer Research UK, which is such a big organization, and he actually went out to meet the patients," she added, referring to the King’s visit to theMacmillan Cancer Centre at the University College Hospital Londonon April 30 — which marked his return to front-facing royal duty after nearly three months working behind the scenes as his cancer treatment began.

“That was very brave too, very courageous, and [he] spoke openly, which was very important to help people and give hope,” the Duchess of York, 65, told PEOPLE.

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Euan Cherry/Getty

The King’s cancer has only “accelerated” the human connection he has with the public,The Timesreported, as cancer doesn’t care who you are — the King of England or not.

“People can relate to the medical challenges that strike at the heart of any family, the impact that it has on the children, the wider family and the adjustments that people have to make,” a source told the outlet, which added that “The way in which the royal family now chooses to show its humanity could set it on a path to a much more modern form of monarchy.”

source: people.com