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In early February 2024, Buckingham Palace disclosed that King Charles was battling a form of cancer. The official statement regarding his illness reads: "During The King's recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer." The monarch has commenced a regular treatment regimen, and doctors have advised him to refrain from undertaking any public duties during this period. Nonetheless, His Majesty will continue to manage state affairs and official correspondence as usual. According to the palace, Charles maintains a positive outlook and eagerly anticipates resuming full public duties as soon as possible.
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In the summer of 2023, Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, received the devastating diagnosis of breast cancer. Following surgery and subsequent treatment, she joyously declared at the start of 2024 she had "beaten" cancer. However, just three weeks later, she faced a rude awakening: after overcoming breast cancer, Fergie found herself confronting the most aggressive form of skin cancer—a revelation she described as a "shock."
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Throughout his life, King Harald of Norway faced health challenges. In December 2003, it was revealed that the then 66-year-old monarch was battling bladder cancer. Thankfully, he successfully overcame the serious illness following an operation, and by April 2004, he had recovered. During his recuperation, his son Crown Prince Haakon temporarily assumed his duties as king. King Harald was subsequently able to resume his role as head of state.
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Princess Margaret led a turbulent life marked by heavy drinking and smoking, consuming up to 60 cigarettes daily. Eventually, like her father, she succumbed to lung cancer and underwent the removal of her left lung in 1985. Multiple strokes further weakened her health. Princess Margaret passed away on February 9, 2002, at the age of 71.
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The Queen Mother battled cancer twice in her lifetime. According to her official biography, she was first diagnosed with cancer in 1966, at the age of 66, when she was found to have bowel cancer. In December of the same year, surgeons successfully removed a tumor from her colon. However, the disease resurfaced around 20 years later, in 1984, when a breast tumor was discovered in the then 83-year-old, requiring another operation. Fortunately, this procedure was highly successful, and the Queen Mother was declared "very healthy" by her doctors. Remarkably, she recovered so swiftly that she was able to joyfully celebrate her 84th birthday just a few weeks later. Despite facing the challenges of both cancers, the Queen Mother lived a long and fulfilling life, reaching the remarkable age of 101.
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King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II († 96) and Princess Margaret († 71), was also afflicted by cancer. As the husband of the Queen Mother († 101), he was a lifelong smoker and was diagnosed with lung cancer. In 1951, he underwent lung surgery to address a blockage in his left bronchial tube. Regrettably, the king never fully recuperated from this procedure. On the night of February 6, 1952, he passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 52.
Even royals are not immune to cancer diagnoses. In early February 2024, King Charles shocked the world by publicly revealing his cancer diagnosis.
In this gallery, we showcase individuals who have been affected by the disease and highlight royals who have tragically lost the battle against cancer.