King Charles III diagnosed with cancer: what happens if he abdicates the throne?

King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer, Buckingham Palace has announced in a statement.

It has not been confirmed what type of cancer Charles has. While the illness was discovered as the king underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate, his cancer diagnosis has been described as “a separate issue”.

Buckingham Palace’s statement in full:

“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.

“His majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, his majesty will continue to undertake state business and official paperwork as usual.

“The king is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.

“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.”

What would happen if King Charles abdicated?

King Charles’ cancer diagnosis and prostate problems come amid calls for the 75-year-old, who came to the throne in 2022, to consider making way for a younger, fitter monarch.

“King Charles should follow Denmark’s example - and tell us when he’ll abdicate,” a recent op-ed in the UK newspaper The Guardian read. At the end of December, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, 83, abdicated in favour of her son, Frederik X, citing ill health.

And Charles has indeed been contemplating stepping aside, it has been reported. Citing “royal experts”, the British tabloid The Daily Mail said in early January that the king had mapped out a plan for abdication “in the next five to ten years”.

No British monarch has abdicated the throne since December 1936, when King Edward VIII - Charles’ great-uncle - relinquished his crown so he could marry the divorced actor Wallis Simpson. Edward’s throne was occupied by Charles’ grandfather, George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II.

Were Charles to abdicate, he would be succeeded by his eldest child, 41-year-old Prince William, who has been the Prince of Wales since his father became king. William’s first-born child, Prince George, would then become the heir to the crown.

Current line of succession to the British throne: the top 10

1. Prince William, Prince of Wales - King Charles’ eldest child

2. Prince George of Wales - Prince William’s first child

3. Princess Charlotte of Wales - Prince William’s second child

4. Prince Louis of Wales - Prince William’s third child

5. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex - King Charles’ second child

6. Archie Mountbatten-Windsor - Prince Harry’s first child

7. Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor - Prince Harry’s second child

8. Prince Andrew, Duke of York - Queen Elizabeth’s third child

9. Princess Beatrice - Prince Andrew’s first daughter

10. Sienna Mapelli Mozzi - Princess Beatrice’s first daughter

Charles now in highly cancer-prone age range

According to Cancer Research UK, people over 75 account for over a third of all cancer diagnoses in Britain.

While mortality rates vary depending on the type of cancer, 54% of all yearly cancer deaths in the UK are in over-75s, Cancer Research says.