6 royal family members who were diagnosed with cancer, from King Charles to Sarah Ferguson
6 royal family members who were diagnosed with cancer, from the Queen Mother to King Charles III
King Charles III has received the diagnosis "of a form of cancer" after being admitted to The London Clinic for an enlarged prostate. The current monarch of Great Britain is not the only royal to have been diagnosed with cancer as several other members of the Windsor family have received the unpleasant news in the past. Here's a look at some of them.
1. King Charles III
King Charles III is the latest royal of the Windsor family to receive a cancer diagnosis. On February 5, the Buckingham Palace issued a statement sharing that the 75-year-old has received the diagnosis "of a form of cancer." The statement revealed that the king "has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties." However, it reads, "Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual." A lifelong patron of charities dealing with cancer patients, King Charles also wanted to make his diagnosis public as he hopes "it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer," per BBC.
2. Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother)
Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother) was diagnosed with cancer multiple times but they weren't made public during her lifetime. After her death in 2002 aged 101, biographer William Shawcross revealed in his book, 'The Queen Mother: The Official Biography', that the Queen Mother had a colon cancer diagnosis and a tumor removed in 1966. She also received a breast cancer diagnosis in 1984 for which she was operated, per Us Weekly.
3. Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York
Recently, in January 2024, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York revealed that she had received a diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Besides, in June 2023, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
4. King George VI
It was revealed in 2018 that the late King George VI was diagnosed with lung cancer because of his history as a heavy smoker. The king, who died in 1952 aged 56, had a carcinogenic lump removed by surgery in 1951.
5. King Edward VIII (The Duke of Windsor)
The Duke of Windsor, who reigned as the British monarch for a short time, abdicated the throne in 1936. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1971 following a long history as a smoker. He died in 1972, aged 77.
6. King Edward VII
Per Jane Ridley’s 'Bertie: A Life of Edward VII', King Edward VII had rodent ulcer (basal-cell carcinoma) removed from the side of his nose. He was cured of cancer with radium in 1907. His death three years later in 1910 was unrelated to his cancer diagnosis.
