Written By: N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe | Published : October 20, 2025 4:06 PM IST
For several months, King Charles' health has been under public scrutiny as images of him in declining health have gone viral on the internet. Given his advanced age, significant changes in King's health are not unexpected. However, recent discoveries of certain medical conditions have worsened his well-being.
The monarch of the United Kingdom was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year following treatment for a benign enlarged prostate, Buckingham Palace announced in February 2025. Following the diagnosis, King Charles' health has been seemingly deteriorating, with concerns mounting about his health status.
Talking about the fatality of prostate cancer in old age, the National Institute of Health (NIH) states that one-third of elderly men die due to prostate cancer while competing medical hazards.
It explains, "32%, 40%, and 60% of patients aged 70 to 74 years with biopsy Gleason scores of 6, 7, and 8 to 10, respectively, died of prostate cancer. Men with Gleason scores higher than 7 experienced high death rates due to prostate cancer, regardless of their age at diagnosis. During the observation time, most of these men died from prostate cancer; approximately one third of the older men died from competing medical hazards."
Speculation of the King's health intensified after he was seen in several public engagements looking tired and lean, including bloodshot eyes.
Commenting on viral pictures of King Charles looking frail, while being accompanied by Prince William at the Natural History Museum in South Kensington for the event "Countdown to COP30: mobilising action for climate and nature," a royal expert, Tom Sykes, in his Royalist Substack, wrote, "The man's suit is falling off him... as these astonishing new images attest, is that his illness is taking a heavier toll than the institution will admit."
Adding fuel to the monarch's health status is his appearance at Sandringham, Norfolk estate, where he was seen using a walking stick for support to move around his 20,000-acre property.
King Charles III, 76, was crowned the monarch of the United Kingdom on 8 September 2022, which makes him the oldest person to succeed the British throne. Here's a list of royals who are next in line of the throne which is governed by the Crown Act 2013:
According to reports, if the eldest child of King Charles is unable to take the throne due to death or incapacity, the succession will be passed on to Prince George of Wales, the eldest child of Prince William.
And at the time, if Prince George is still a minor, a 'Regent' would be appointed to perform the royal functions until the child comes of age. Interestingly, under the 1937 Regency Act, Prince Harry would be the 'Regent', who is 5 in line of succession.
