King Charles breaks royal tradition of ‘mystery’, sharing cancer diagnosis
The Hindu
Buckingham Palace breaks tradition by announcing King Charles III's cancer diagnosis, sparking public interest and raising awareness.
London
In British history, the secrecy of the monarch’s health has always reigned supreme. Buckingham Palace’s disclosure that King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer shattered that longstanding tradition.
On the heels of the shock and well-wishing that followed the official statement on Monday came the surprise that the palace had announced anything at all. Indeed, the unprecedented missive was sparse on details: King Charles, 75, had begun treatment for a cancer it did not name after being diagnosed during a recent corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate.
The king is stepping back from public duties but carrying on state business during his treatment, which he’ll receive as an outpatient, the palace said.
“The King has cancer,” the Times of London declared in a terse banner headline on Tuesday. It was unlike any other in British history.
Never complain, never explain, as King Charles’ late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was known to say. King Charles has withheld details of his illness and treatment, and in that way is carrying on her approach. But in beaming a sliver of light from inside the palace walls and his own life, the king has broken with his mother and royal tradition.
The world still does not know the cause of Elizabeth’s death in 2022 at the age of 96. In the final years of her life, the public was told only that the queen was suffering from “mobility issues.” Her death certificate listed the cause simply as “old age.”
According to the “2023: World Air Quality Report”, India is the third most polluted nation globally and Delhi the most polluted capital city. Though Bengaluru (Rank 673) stands nowhere close to the topmost polluted cities, increasing temperature, irregular rains, growing population and infrastructure are leading to a slow change in the water and air quality of the garden city.