The Age of Royal Leaks: Buckingham Palace Feared King Charles' Health Issue Would Hit the Press Before Announcement
King Charles' upcoming surgery became a concern for the palace press office due to possible in-house leaks before an official statement.
Buckingham Palace is not much different from the White House, as it allegedly "struggled" to contain "leaks" about King Charles III's prostate issues.
"What I've been told is that the King has royal engagements that had to be canceled, so the Palace had to start telling people this was happening," journalist Jack Royston shared when describing the concerns of the palace press office.
January 17 was apparently a chaotic day at the official seat of the British monarchy since the decision to announce Kate, Princess of Wales,' surgery was in tandem with King Charles' health condition as well.
"Once they started telling people privately, they just wanted to get that information out there," Royston added when describing how the dual announcements were a spur-of-the-moment decision. "It's reassuring for the public if it comes from the Palace rather than being leaked by somebody who maybe had a tangential role in a royal visit."
He continued: "If you allow it to come out that way, then everybody panics."
To get ahead of possible leaks, which Prince Harry once claimed are "all too common" at Buckingham Palace, the press office decided to quickly follow Kensington Palace's statement about the Princess of Wales.
"In common with thousands of men each year, the king has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate," the official statement read. "His Majesty’s condition is benign, and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure. The king’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation."
Some royal analysts claim that the King himself may have decided to release the statement about his surgery within hours of Kate's to help bring some of the attention away from her. He also made an unprecedented move by announcing his ailment in a bid to encourage men of a similar age to get their prostate checked.
Kensington Palace, which is Kate's official home and office along with Prince William, shared that the Princess "was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday (January 16) for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter."
Speculation is running rampant as to what particular health concern required major surgery on the glamorous and outwardly healthy millennial royal. The London Clinic is world-renowned for treating complex digestive issues, however, Her Royal Highness remains adamant that, unlike the King, she wants full privacy about her condition.
Many royal analysts have praised the King's court for how it orchestrated the announcements for the head of state and a future Queen Consort — however, some critics claim it was too much "all at once."
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GBN reported on Royston's remarks.
