King Charles remains ‘wholly positive’ about cancer treatment – as he apologises for postponing engagements
The King remains “wholly positive” about his treatment for cancer and “looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible”, Buckingham Palace has said.
However, the monarch, 75, will have to postpone or rearrange forthcoming public engagements following the diagnosis, according to the palace.
“His Majesty would like to apologise to all those who may be disappointed or inconvenienced as a consequence,” a statement released on behalf of the King said.
Follow latest: King chose to share diagnosis to ‘prevent speculation’
The King has begun a schedule of regular treatments and is said to be receiving expert medical care from a specialist team.
His diagnosis, announced on Monday, means it is unlikely he will attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on 11 March.
The Queen will continue to attend to a full programme of public duties.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave after attending a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. Pic: PA
Meanwhile, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is understood to be travelling to the UK from his home in the US in the coming days to visit his father.
Other members of the Royal Family, including Prince William, the Prince of Wales, may take on some extra duties on behalf of the King during his treatment.
However, it is understood that these duties will not relate to the King’s constitutional role, and the monarch will continue to receive and review important documents in red boxes used by the monarch and government ministers.
It is understood that the King will continue to have weekly audiences with the prime minister while undergoing treatment, though these may be held remotely should medics advise him to reduce in-person contact.
He is also expected to remain available for meetings of the Privy Council, which usually meets once a month.
There has been no word yet, however, on upcoming overseas visits, with the King and Queen set to travel abroad for state events in the coming months.
They are due to travel to Canada in May, and then to Australia, New Zealand and Samoa in October for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Read more from Sky News:
The palace’s statement in full
Prince Harry to visit King
King’s health issues over the years
Royal historian and author, Kate Williams, told Sky News the diagnosis would be “difficult” for the King.
“Charles is often one of the most hard-working royals with many engagements, many activities, many charities,” she said.
“I think it is obviously going to be hard for him, because he won’t be able to do this, and we don’t know for how long.”
Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts
It comes after it was announced the King had been diagnosed with a “form of cancer”, which came to light while the monarch was in hospital for treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Though the palace did not elaborate on the type of cancer, they said it was not prostate cancer and described it as a “second condition”.
Prince Harry (pictured here with the King in 2015) is due to see his father in the coming days. Pic: AP
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.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
What next for the King?
The King is said to have shared “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”.
The King travelled from Sandringham in Norfolk to London on Monday to start treatment as an outpatient. He spent the evening at home in London, most likely in Clarence House.
News of the King’s diagnosis comes after his daughter-in-law Kate, Princess of Wales, underwent abdominal surgery during a hospital stay of around two weeks.
Last month, Sarah, Duchess of York, the former wife of the King’s brother, Prince Andrew, announced she had been diagnosed with skin cancer, just six months after being treated for breast cancer.
Police are investigating after a “number of people” were believed to have been attacked with pepper spray by a group of men who then fled.
Officers were called at 8.11am to a multi-storey car park at Terminal 3 following reports of multiple people being assaulted, said the Metropolitan Police.
A statement by the force said: “A number of people were sprayed with what is believed to be a form of pepper spray by a group of men who then left the scene.”
What we know so far
• Several assaulted with ‘pepper spray’
• One arrest – police hunt for more suspects
• Incident said to involve people known to each other
• Incident not being treated as terrorism
• 21 people treated by ambulance service – five taken to hospital
• Injuries not believed to be life-threatening
• Traffic disruption reported – but train lines since reopened
Live updates on Heathrow incident
Fire engines responding to the incident at Heathrow Airport. Pic: @_umarjaved
Armed police attended and one man was arrested on suspicion of assault. He remains in custody and enquiries continue to trace further suspects.
Police are not treating the Heathrow incident as terrorism.
London Ambulance Service also attended the scene and treated 21 people, including five who were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.
There is currently some disruption to traffic in the area and Terminal 3 remains open.
Increased police presence
Commander Peter Stevens said: “At this stage, we believe the incident involved a group of people known to each other, with an argument escalating and resulting in a number of people being injured.
“Our officers responded quickly and there will be an increased police presence at Heathrow Airport throughout the morning, to continue enquiries and ensure the safety of those in the area.
“We are not treating this incident as terrorism. I understand the public’s concerns and would like to thank those in the area for their cooperation this morning.”
A person is detained at the airport. Pic: @_umarjaved
‘Significant incident’
The London Ambulance Service said a “significant incident” was declared.
There was a “full deployment” of resources and the ambulance service is treating it as ongoing.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “We were called at 8.14am today to assist emergency service colleagues at an incident near Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport. Firefighters remain at the scene.”
Heathrow is advising passengers to allow extra time when travelling to the airport and to check with their airline for any queries.
There was disruption to train and Tube services, with some delays on the Elizabeth Line and the Piccadilly Line.
National Rail said on its website that lines had been reopened allowing trains to call at Heathrow “following the emergency services dealing with an incident at the airport”.
It said: “Although lines have now reopened, disruption is expected to continue whilst services return to normal, delays of up to 10 minutes and cancellations can be expected until 11.45am.”
National Highways East said on X: “A serious incident within the @HeathrowAirport Tunnel has resulted in the closure of the #M4 spur road southbound between M4 and J4A.
“@metpoliceuk responding. We’ll keep you updated.”
It later said: “Incident has been resolved and all closures lifted on the #M4 southbound @HeathrowAirport spur road between #M4 and J4A.”
People on social media have reported vehicles were being searched at the airport.
A user on X said there was a “major backlog of cars unable to leave the vicinity or enter the drop-off zone” at Terminal 3.
In footage on X, several armed police were seen in a car park.
England and Scotland fans have found out where their World Cup group games will be played when the tournament kicks off in June.
England, who are in Group L, will begin their tournament against Croatia in Dallas at 4pm EST (9pm BST) on 17 June. They will then go on to face Ghana in Boston at 4pm EST (9pm BST) on 23 June and Panama in New Jersey, New York, at 5pm EST (10pm BST) on 27 June.
Scotland are in Group C, and their first match will be against Haiti in Boston at 9pm EST on 13 June (2am GMT the following morning).
They will go up against Morocco also in Boston at 6pm EST (11pm GMT) on 19 June and then Brazil in Miami at 6pm EST (11pm GMT) on 24 June.
Fans are expected to rush to sort their travel and accommodation plans now that they know where and when the matches take place.
Read more: Unapologetically political – a World Cup draw like no other
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
England and Scotland learn World Cup fate
Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to find out if they will qualify.
Wales must face a play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, then either Italy or Northern Ireland, if they are victorious.
If they beat these play-off opponents, they will secure their place in Group B alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
However, Northern Ireland will also be vying to guarantee their spot in the same group if they can beat Italy and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the latest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
UK
World Cup 2026 – who England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will play
Scotland and England now know who they will face in the group stage of the next summer’s world cup.
But the fates of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Wales won’t be determined until they compete in pre-tournament play-off matches in March.
England are in Group L along with Croatia, Panama and Ghana. Their first match will be against Croatia, who beat them in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Pic: Reuters
Scotland’s first match will be against Haiti, in Group C.
Brazil and Morocco are the other Group C teams – both countries were also in the same opening group as Scotland in the 1998 World Cup in France.
Trump and Infantino at the World Cup draw
Wales have yet to find out if they will qualify as they must face a play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, and then either Italy or Northern Ireland, if they are victorious.
Read more:
EasyJet staff at Luton Airport to strike over Christmas
If they can overcome these play-off opponents then they will secure their place in Group B along with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland. But Northern Ireland will also be vying and hoping to guarantee their spot in the same group if they can beat Italy and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
‘Bring it on!’: Scotland fans react to World Cup draw
The Republic of Ireland also need to get through the play-offs first and are paired against the Czech Republic for their semi-final. Should Ireland win that match, they will need to beat either North Macedonia or Denmark to get to the finals where an opening group containing joint hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea awaits.
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment3 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024