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Image Credit: White House

British head of state, King Charles III, is set to attend a hospital next week for a corrective procedure to address an enlarged prostate, Buckingham Palace announced on Wednesday. The 75-year-old monarch's condition is described as benign, and the procedure is intended to rectify the issue. His Majesty's public engagements will be temporarily postponed to allow for a short period of recuperation, as stated by the palace.

Charles ascended to the throne on September 8, 2022, following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. As the oldest person to become Britain's monarch and the longest-serving heir apparent, the king has generally enjoyed good health, despite experiencing two bouts of coronavirus and sustaining sporting injuries in his younger years.

Benign prostate enlargement is a common condition in men over 50, unrelated to cancer and typically not considered a serious threat to health, according to Britain's National Health Service (NHS). Symptoms include a frequent need to pass water and difficulty in fully emptying the bladder. The exact cause is unknown, but hormonal changes associated with aging are believed to play a role, as explained by the NHS.

The palace's statement coincided with news of the Princess of Wales facing hospitalization for successful abdominal surgery. The 42-year-old wife of William, Prince of Wales, and heir to the British throne, is expected to spend up to two weeks in the hospital, with several months of recuperation. Kensington Palace confirmed her admission to a private clinic in central London on Tuesday.

As King Charles III prepares for medical intervention, the public awaits updates on his health and wishes both royal figures a swift and smooth recovery.