LONDON, Jan  26, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Britain's King Charles III was said to be
"doing well" after undergoing scheduled prostate surgery on Friday, at the same
private clinic where his daughter-in-law is recovering from an operation.

The 75-year-old monarch, who is also head of state in 14 countries outside
the UK, was seen arriving at The London Clinic earlier Thursday accompanied by
his wife, Queen Camilla.

Catherine Princess of Wales, whose husband Prince William is Charles's
elder son and heir, has spent 11 days at the same hospital after abdominal
surgery.

It is not known how long the king will spend in hospital but The Times
newspaper said he was expected to stay for two days to recover.

British media reports said that he was "doing well" after the surgery,
quoting unnamed sources, and that he had earlier visited Kate ahead of his own
treatment.

"The king was this morning admitted to a London hospital for scheduled
treatment," Buckingham Palace said.

"His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes
over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a
positive impact on public health awareness."

Camilla was seen leaving the hospital after her husband's surgery.

- Awareness -

Royal officials took the unusual step last week of issuing a bulletin on
the king's health, disclosing that he had an enlarged prostate but that the
condition was benign.

It came soon after news that Kate, 42, had undergone successful abdominal
surgery for an unspecified condition.

She was expected to spend up to two weeks recuperating, then several months
away from public duties.

Charles travelled to his private Sandringham estate in eastern England on
January 19 to prepare for what royal officials said would be a "corrective
procedure", before returning to London on Thursday.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday wished Charles a "speedy recovery"
from the procedure, a Downing Street spokeswoman said.

The king was told he had the condition, which is common in men aged over 50
and affects urination, after experiencing symptoms and having a check-up.

He wanted to share his diagnosis publicly to encourage other men who may be
experiencing symptoms to see their doctor.

The king's announcement has prompted a surge in internet searches for the
term "enlarged prostate" on the state-run National Health Service (NHS) website.

An enlarged prostate, symptoms of which include a frequent need to urinate
and difficulty emptying the bladder, is not normally considered a serious
condition or a risk indicator for prostate cancer.

The charity Prostate Cancer UK said it had seen a more than 100 percent
increase in people using its online risk checker on Thursday compared with
Wednesday.

Ian Eardley, a consultant urological surgeon and national clinical director
for NHS England, said the condition was "to some extent... an inevitable part
of ageing for just about all men".

But the publicity was welcome, he said.

"The nature of these things (is) if it becomes public knowledge it will
lead to more men seeking help. That's a good thing."

- Transparency -

Charles has largely enjoyed good health throughout his life, barring
sporting injuries from polo and skiing, and two bouts of Covid in 2020 and 2022.

He has long been aware of what he calls his "sausage fingers", though no
reason has been given for his swollen digits.

The transparency about his surgery is a clear break with the past.
Charles's mother, Queen Elizabeth II, suffered visibly declining health
from October 2021 until her death in September 2022.

Her withdrawal was based on what officials said were "episodic mobility
problems" that affected her walking and standing, leading her to use a stick
and even a motorised buggy at public events.

Officially, her death at 96 was recorded as old age.

But there have been claims from a trusted royal biographer that she had
bone marrow cancer.

The late queen's father, King George VI, was a heavy smoker and had one
lung removed in September 1951, though the full extent of his condition was not
made public at the time.

He never made a full recovery and died in February 1952. It was later
revealed he had lung cancer.