King Charles will go to the hospital the week of January 22, Buckingham Palace says, but the condition he's being treated for is reportedly not serious. "In common with thousands of men each year, the King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate," Buckingham Palace announced in a statement. "His Majesty's condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure." King Charles, 75, will have to postpone some of his engagements, as he will need time to recover from the procedure.
According to the BBC, King Charles was open to sharing the news with the public, as he wanted to encourage other men to get checked for the condition, which becomes more common as men age, advises Mayo Clinic.
Some men worry that having an enlarged prostate means they're more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. The NHS assures men that this is not true. According to the NHS, the condition is not cancerous and is usually not serious, but it can lead to uncomfortable symptoms and complications.
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Possible complications include urinary tract infections, chronic urinary retention, and acute urinary retention, according to the NHS.
The news of King Charles' procedure comes shortly after Kensington Palace released a statement about Kate Middleton undergoing surgery.
"Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital yesterday for planned abdominal surgery," the statement read. "The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery."
In the statement, Kensington Palace did not indicate why Kate Middleton had surgery. However, her condition was also not cancerous, CNN reported.
It is unclear when Kate will be able to return to public duties. According to the statement, it will likely be after Easter.
The news about not one, but two royals getting medical treatment around the same time came as a surprise to many, as information about the health of royals is not often made public.
According to the statement from Kensington Palace, Kate "appreciates the interest this statement will generate."
"She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private," the statement said.
According to the statement, updates on Kate's condition will only be shared if "there is significant new information to share."
*Disclaimer: The advice on LittleThings is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
