British royal family members who were diagnosed with cancer

King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer. The 75-year-old Monarch was undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate when the cancer was diagnosed, Buckingham Palace has said. The King was a patron of several cancer-related charities when he was Prince of Wales. "His Majesty has chosen to share 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 Palace has said.

King Charles III ascended to the British throne after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen died of 'old age', according to her death certificate; however, as per a new biography of the Queen, she battled myeloma before her death. Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years. The Queen was born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, in Mayfair, London, on 21 April 1926.


As per an extract of the Queen's biography, reported by the Daily Mail, she had myeloma and mobility issues during the last year of her life. Multiple myeloma is a cancer that originates in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell found in the bone marrow. These malignant plasma cells multiply uncontrollably, crowding out healthy blood cells and producing abnormal proteins. This condition weakens bones, hinders the immune system, and affects the production of normal blood cells. Common symptoms include bone pain, fatigue, recurrent infections, and anemia. Multiple myeloma primarily affects older individuals and is often diagnosed through blood tests, imaging studies, and bone marrow biopsies. While there is currently no cure, treatment options such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplantation aim to manage symptoms, slow disease progression, and improve the quality of life for individuals with multiple myeloma.



Another royal member, King Edward VIII (The Duke of Windsor) was also a victim of cancer. He succumbed to throat cancer in 1972. He was the King after his father George V's death in 1936. He died in his home in Paris. “He died peacefully,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said at the time, The New York Times had reported.

Queen Elizabeth or The Queen Mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer. In 1984, a lump was removed from her breast. As per reports, her cancer diagnosis was never made public during her lifetime. According to her official biography, which has been cited in several reports, The Queen Mother suffered from colon cancer in her 60s and breast cancer in her 80s.