King Charles takes helicopter to Sandringham after heartbreaking cancer diagnosis
King Charles has made his way to the royal estate of Sandringham to continue his treatment and recovery away from prying eyes after being diagnosed with cancer.
Earlier this week it was announced that the 75-year-old monarch had been diagnosed with the illness after undergoing a procedure for an enlarged prostate.
Details as to what cancer Charles has – and what stage the cancer is at – remain unknown to the public, though Buckingham Palace has confirmed that it is not prostate cancer.
As is so often the case with the Royal Family, details surrounding Charles’ health issues are scarce. What we do know is that Prince Harry returned to the UK on Tuesday to meet face-to-face in a private meeting with his father for the first time since Queen Elizabeth died, while the King is said to have informed his closest loved ones about his diagnosis personally.
Earlier this week, Charles and Queen Camilla were sighted for the first time since the cancer announcement as they left Clarence House in London to catch a helicopter to Norfolk.
Reports state that the helicopter landed at the royal Sandringham estate – where the Royal Family are known to spend their Christmases – at around 4.20pm on Tuesday, hours after Charles had spoken to Harry.
The King is said to have already started treatment for his cancer, with the Daily Mail citing sources as having said that he is ‘on good form’.
Nevertheless, it’s speculated that Charles may take a prolonged absence from his official duties and royal appearances as his treatment gets underway.
Robert Hardman, author of Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story, told BBC Radio 4’s Today program: “I would imagine we probably won’t see him at Westminster Abbey now.
“I’m sure there will be a statement, a message – he’ll want to engage with that. It’s moments like that when an absence is noted, but the day-to-day running of the monarchy will not really change.”
Indeed, the overarching message from Buckingham Palace is that in spite of the King’s ill health, it will be business as usual moving forward.
Alarming reports over the past few days, however, paint a different picture.
Citing medical experts, Radar Online speculate that Charles’ cancer is likely to be near his prostate, and could be in his liver, stomach, or lung.
New York Internist Dr. Stuart Fischer told Radar: “You die with prostate cancer, not of it, according to most current studies. There are medicines and they have been around for at least 30 years. They are anti-testosterones, and, in most cases, they prevent the growth of the metastasis.”
“Once a metastasis spreads to the lung and liver, for example, it is quite difficult to treat,” Dr. Fischer added. “If the cancer was found in the lung and liver for example his life expectancy will be a couple of years – if he’s lucky.”
In any case, we’re sending strength to King Charles at this difficult time, and wish him a speedy recovery.