Summary

  • King Charles has been pictured for the first time since his cancer diagnosis was announced on Monday evening

  • Both he and Queen Camilla travelled to the royal estate in Sandringham by helicopter

  • Earlier, Prince Harry arrived in London to visit his father - he flew in from his home in California

  • We understand there are no plans for him and his brother William to meet during his trip to the UK

  • Buckingham Palace announced the King's cancer was found during his recent treatment for a benign enlarged prostate

  • The monarch has postponed public duties, but will continue state duties and will still meet the prime minister weekly

  1. That's it from uspublished at 21:08 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    The King's helicopter leaves Buckingham Palace on TuesdayImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    The King's helicopter was seen leaving London this afternoon - it later arrived at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk

    With King Charles now at Sandringham, having stepped back from royal duties as he undergoes treatment for cancer, here's a reminder of the day's biggest moments.

    • Along with Queen Camilla, the King was seen earlier for the first time since it was announced on Monday that he had been diagnosed with cancer - he was in a car headed for Buckingham Palace, before flying by helicopter to Sandringham
    • Before that, the Duke of Sussex was pictured arriving at Clarence House - the King's residence in London - having flown from California to see his father. We don't know if Prince Harry accompanied his father to Sandringham but there are no plans for him to see his brother the Prince of Wales during his trip
    • Working members of the royal family, including Prince William and Princess Anne, are expected to cover some of the King's public duties - Prince William resumes his royal duties tomorrow

    If you want to keep reading the latest, head here. Or if you want to know more about what this means for the other royals, read this. And if you're interested in how common the King's incidental cancer diagnosis is, there's this from the BBC's health team.

  2. Timeline of King's recent health treatmentpublished at 20:42 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    King Charles and Queen Camilla sit in the back of a carImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    The King and Queen Camilla left Clarence House, their London home, for Buckingham Palace earlier before making their way to Sandringham

    Before we close this page, here's a quick recap of the King's recent health treatment, in the lead up to last night's announcement of his cancer diagnosis.

    17 January: Buckingham Palace announces that King Charles will attend hospital for treatment for an enlarged prostate the following week.

    26 January: The King receives his treatment after being admitted to the London Clinic in the morning. Queen Camilla says her husband's "doing well".

    29 January: The King leaves hospital after three nights. The Palace says he'll have to postpone his public engagements "to allow for a period of private recuperation".

    31 January: Queen Camilla says her husband is "doing his best" after hospital treatment.

    4 February: The King and Queen attend church in Sandringham, with Charles waving at well-wishers, in his first public outing since treatment.

    5 February: The Palace announces that the King has been diagnosed with a "form of cancer" discovered during his recent treatment. The type of cancer has not been revealed, but the Palace says it's not of the prostate and the King has started "regular treatment".

  3. Watch: Princess Anne does not react to questions about the Kingpublished at 20:15 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    Here's that moment we mentioned earlier, where Princess Anne - out and about in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire - ignored questions from reporters about her brother's cancer diagnosis.

    Anne, along with the other working royals, will take on some of King Charles's duties while he is recovering from treatment.

  4. How many people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK?published at 19:41 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    The prevalence of cancer has been discussed widely since the King's diagnosis was announced.

    He's one of around 1,000 people in the UK who are diagnosed with cancer on any given day, and stands among the three million people currently living with the disease.

    Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men in the UK - we've been told this isn't the King's diagnosis. For women, it's breast cancer.

    Lung and bowel cancers are the next most common to be diagnosed.

    The NHS tells us, external that some signs of cancer include a lump that suddenly appears on your body, unexplained bleeding and/or changes to your bowel habits. There are plenty of other symptoms, too, so if anything is concerning you, you should check in with your GP.

  5. Watch: King arrives at Sandringhampublished at 19:06 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    King Charles arrived at Sandringham in a helicopter late this afternoon.

    Through the trees, you can see the Royal Standard has been raised - the royal protocol when the King is at home.

  6. Ukraine's president recognises King Charles's 'genuine compassion'published at 18:47 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    The King and Zelensky shake hands inside a palace roomImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    King Charles held an audience with Zelensky nearly a year ago in Buckingham Palace

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has posted a message of support to King Charles on social media:

    "On behalf of the Ukrainian people, I wish to convey words of support and wishes for a speedy recovery to His Royal Majesty King Charles III," Zelenksy wrote on X.

    "We remember Your Majesty's attention and genuine compassion for Ukraine and Ukrainians, and we highly value it. Our thoughts and prayers are with Your Majesty, the Royal Family, and the British people."

  7. Royal standard raised at Sandringhampublished at 18:32 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    Janine Machin
    Reporting from Sandringham

    The King and Queen landed here in Sandringham just before 16:30 GMT in some pretty awful weather - and the Royal Standard is now flying to show that the King is in residence.

    This is a place that the Royal Family clearly feel very comfortable in. It's where they traditionally spend Christmas and following few weeks.

    The King only interrupted that break this year to go to London for his prostate treatment.

    Afterwards, he came back to Sandringham to convalesce. He was seen here leaving a church service on the estate on Sunday morning, waving to the crowds who so often gather here for a glimpse of the Royal Family.

    The estate is surrounded by woodland and is open to the public, but once the visitor's centre closes and the tourists and local dog walkers leave, it becomes very quiet and very private.

    Perhaps that is part of the reason why the King has chosen to spend time here as he is going through this treatment.

    King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave after attending a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. Picture date: Sunday February 4, 2024Image source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    The King and Queen were in Sandringham on Sunday - in very different weather to today

  8. No plans for Harry and William to meet, BBC understandspublished at 18:04 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February
    Breaking

    There are no plans for Harry, Duke of Sussex, to meet his brother the Prince of Wales during his visit to London, the BBC understands.

    We reported a little earlier that this was likely to be the case.

    Last night, Prince Harry said he would travel back to the UK after Buckingham Palace announced his father's cancer diagnosis. A photo earlier showed him arriving at Clarence House, the King's London residence.

  9. Six key things to know about todaypublished at 17:21 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    From Prince Harry's arrival in the UK to the King's helicopter leaving Buckingham Palace, there's been quite a bit of movement in the last few hours. Here's where things currently stand:

    • The King was seen in public earlier for the first time since his cancer diagnosis was announced last night - he and Queen Camilla were pictured leaving their London home, Clarence House, and heading for Buckingham Palace
    • A short while later, the King's helicopter took off from the Palace, with the King understood to be travelling to his Sandringham estate
    • Since then, a helicopter has been spotted landing at the royal residence in Norfolk, but we've had no official word yet that the monarch's there
    • While the King was still in London, a photograph emerged of Prince Harry - who said yesterday he was flying back from California to London - arriving at Clarence House. It's not yet clear how long their meeting lasted and if Harry went on to travel with his father
    • All this happened after the Palace announced last night that the King had been diagnosed with a "form of cancer" while receiving treatment for an enlarged prostate - we don't know what type of cancer he has but we do know it's not of the prostate
    • Prince William, Queen Camilla and Princess Anne, the King's sister, are expected to cover some of the King’s public duties in the coming weeks
  10. Helicopter lands at Sandringham - reportpublished at 16:41 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February
    Breaking

    A helicopter has now been seen landing at Sandringham, in Norfolk, according to the PA news agency.

    It landed more than half an hour after the King's helicopter was seen taking off from Buckingham Palace.

    We haven't yet had official confirmation that the King's arrived at the estate - when we have, we'll let you know.

  11. Watch: King Charles's helicopter takes offpublished at 16:11 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    Here's the moment, recorded a little earlier, when the King's helicopter was spotted taking off from Buckingham Palace.

    As we said just before, the King is thought to be making his way to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

  12. The King's helicopter lands at Buckingham Palacepublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    The King's helicopter has been seen landing at Buckingham Palace.

    It is understood King Charles is preparing to travel to Sandringham, one of the Royal Family's residences in Norfolk.

    A helicopter lands at Buckingham PalaceImage source, Reuters
    The Royal Household helicopter flies over central London to land at Buckingham PalaceImage source, Reuters
  13. King and Queen leave London homepublished at 15:49 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February
    Breaking

    King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave as they leave Clarence House in London following the announcement of King Charles's cancer diagnosis on Monday eveningImage source, PA Media

    King Charles III and Queen Camilla have been pictured leaving Clarence House, their home in London.

    The car was seen driving down The Mall, in the direction of Buckingham Palace.

  14. Pictured: Duke of Sussex arrives to visit Kingpublished at 15:32 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February
    Breaking

    We can now bring you this photo of Prince Harry arriving at Clarence House in London.

    Prince Harry arriving at Clarence House in LondonImage source, London News Pictures
  15. Prince Harry appears to arrive at King's London homepublished at 15:21 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    Two black SUVs, believed to be carrying Prince Harry, arrive at Clarence House, LondonImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    Two black Range Rovers - believed to be carrying the Duke of Sussex - arrived at Clarence House a little earlier

    Prince Harry has arrived in the UK after travelling from the US to see the King.

    He appears to have pulled up at Clarence House, the London home of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

    Two black SUVs, which were seen leaving Heathrow Airport's VIP Windsor Suite earlier this afternoon, were pictured arriving at the royal residence, the PA news agency reports.

    Other media are publishing a photo that appears to show the Duke of Sussex arriving in one of the cars.

  16. Prince Harry probably won't meet Prince Williampublished at 15:05 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent

    Prince Harry’s trip to the UK is to see his father after his cancer diagnosis.

    But that doesn’t mean that the family gathering will bring together Prince Harry and Prince William.

    According to sources, there are currently no plans for the brothers to meet while Prince Harry is in London.

    Keep the olive branches for later.

  17. Princess Anne visits community centrepublished at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    Navtej Johal
    Reporting from Nottinghamshire

    Princess Anne shakes hands with Sir John Peace, the Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, as she arrives at a community centre in Eastwood

    The Princess Royal has just arrived for a visit to a community centre in Eastwood in Nottinghamshire.

    The official press release says Princess Anne is here to learn about how a new project is helping local residents improve their mental health.

    However, naturally, there is great interest in whether she will say anything about her brother, the King.

    Princess Anne’s black Range Rover pulled up in the car park as the heavens opened.

    She shook hands with Sir John Peace, the Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire (who acts as the King's personal representative in the county), exchanged a few words and went inside.

    From about 50 yards away, where the journalists were assembled, one shouted: “Your Royal Highness, how is the King?”

    No answer came in reply, as the downpour began.

  18. Princess Anne attends first engagement since King's diagnosispublished at 14:32 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    Princess Anne is pictured at Windsor Castle awarding the Queen's Gallantry Medal to Madeleine Davidson-HoustonImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Princess Anne awards Madeleine Davidson-Houston with the Queen's Gallantry Medal

    Princess Anne has been carrying out royal duties this morning - she's been handing out honours at Windsor Castle.

    We know that she's one of the hardest working members of the family - in 2023, she carried out 457 engagements while the King attended to 425.

    Some of King Charles's duties will be shared by other members of the family, so we could be seeing a bit more of Princess Anne in the months to come.

  19. King's faith will sustain him, says archbishoppublished at 13:59 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    The Archbishop of York with King Charles in November 2022Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    The Archbishop of York with King Charles in November 2022

    The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, tells BBC Radio 4's World At One programme that the King's "faith will sustain him through this".

    The archbishop played a key role in the King's coronation. He was one of the three men who anointed Charles with oil during the ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

    "From what I know of the King," he says, he will be turning to God for strength and solace.

    Cancer is often harder for the family members, says the archbishop.

    "So I hope and pray for his family that it will bring them together."

  20. Oncologist praises King's openness and urges people to discuss symptomspublished at 13:39 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February

    Dr Seamus McAleer, a consultant clinical oncologist who's answered questions about the King’s cancer diagnosis, has commended him for “putting it out in the open”.

    He says he hopes this will encourage more people to talk about their symptoms if they suspect they might have cancer - and to seek advice.

    “Hopefully it will help generate a better conversation in the country about cancer and about treating it, about catching it early and curing it,” McAleer says.

    He also urges people to look for information from cancer charities such as Macmillans’ and to discuss any worrisome symptoms with their GP.