tv Newsnight BBC News February 5, 2024 10:30pm-11:11pm GMT
10:30 pm
oh, that's the sand being wet, sir. if you'd waited for the tide to go out, it would have been twice as easy. ian lavender, a 22—year—old actorfrom birmingham, was the fresh new face amongst a cast of comic veterans. you know, these are people i'd been watching on the screen, on big screen, small screen, in the theatre. and suddenly i was working with them. terrifying. what's that supposed to be, boy? the character was pike, the mummy�*s boy who never quite twigged that sergeant wilson, his uncle arthur, may have been more than just an uncle. what's your name, lad? well, you should know by now, you've been a friend of my mum's since before i was born. laughter. and over the next nine years, he helped create a comedy classic that was still being shown more than a0 years later. after his years with the walmington—on—sea home guard, he appeared in comedies such as yes, minister, as well as roles in film and theatre and...albert square.
10:31 pm
what you need is to relax. you stupid boy. laughter. you stupid boy. but even decades later, fans would still call out... you stupid boy. ..the old catchphrase. walmington—on—sea... just a moment. # whistle while you work. # hilter is a twerp... # he's half barmy, so's his army. # whistle while you... your name will also go on the list. laughter. what is it? don't tell him, pike. pike! ian lavender, the last member of the famous platoon. let's go back now to our top story, and the announcement that the king has been diagnosed with cancer. we can speak to our royal correspondent daniela ralph, who's outside buckingham palace. this is both a very personal issue for the royal family but also a public one in the sense that they will need to fulfil the king's public role
10:32 pm
in the coming weeks or months. that's right. there is no getting away from the fact this will be a hugely challenging time, as you say, both privately for the royal family but in terms of how they manage the public side of their life. the bottom line is we will not see the king in public probably for a number of months, before he is anywhere close to back to full duty. he has cleared his diary for now in order to understandably focus on his cancer treatment. to understandably focus on his cancertreatment. it to understandably focus on his cancer treatment. it leaves others having to pick up some of his work. for his wife the queen, queen camilla, she already has her programme of royal engagements and projects that we can expect to see picking up some of her husband's duties. his son, the prince of wales, prince william has not done royal duties since january the 11th because he has been focused on supporting his wife, the princess of wales, who spent two weeks in hospital recovering from abdominal surgery. but prince william is back
10:33 pm
on royal duty this week. he has two engagements this wednesday where we expect to see and perhaps hear from him as well at engagements in windsor and london. him as well at engagements in windsorand london. both him as well at engagements in windsor and london. both prince william and queen camilla will be supported by others, the likes of the princess royal, princess anne, and edward and sophie, the duke and duchess of edinburgh, in terms of picking up some of the king's work. in terms of the king himself, i think buckingham palace have told us as much as we will hear about his condition. don't expect to hear more from them about what kind of cancer the king has or what treatment he is having. at this stage they are wanting to keep all of that private. daniela relph at buckingham palace, thank you. time for a look at the weather. here's louise lear. some parts of northern scotland have already seen half a month's worth of
10:34 pm
rain and we are only a few days into february. the rain slipping is steadily south, brightening tomorrow with clear skies but a chilly start. with the showers, i see in the north—east first thing in the morning to stop the cloud and rain pushing out of northern ireland and gradually into northern england. to the south of that, a relatively mild start but you can see where the colder air is sitting on the far north of scotland. it will be icy but bright. a touch of frost first thing in the morning, the weather front sinking steadily south and east, bringing quite a lot of rain with it. grinding to a halt across the bristol channel towards the humber and anywhere south and east of that will be cloudy, breezy and milder, looking at 12 or 13. 7—9 underneath the cloud and rain but noticeably colder with the arctic air are starting to dig in. the weather front air are starting to dig in. the weatherfront steadily air are starting to dig in. the weather front steadily sinking southwards bringing a crisper, brighter day on wednesday. sunshine for some, some wintry showers into the far north—west. the weather
10:35 pm
front not really clearing the far south—west. here we will keep double figures but generally the temperature is a little bit below average for the time of year. the weather front in the south—west wants to push steadily northwards. as it bumps into the colder arctic air on the leading edge for a time we could see some snow. there is an early warning that's been issued by the met office for thursday. for most of thursday into the early hours of friday we could see snow even at lower levels. at the moment, thoughts across wales, england and northern england. thanks, louise. and that's bbc news at ten. newsnight is just getting underway on bbc two, with victoria derbyshire. on bbc one, it's time tojoin our colleagues for the news where you are. the us and uk the tracks on iran
10:36 pm
act. it comes after the us constructs on 85 strikes on iraq and syria on friday after an attack on a us base. let's get more now on our top story, king charles has been diagnosed with cancer and will step back from public duties while he receives treatment. buckingham palace made the announcement earlier this evening saying that while the king was in hospital being treated for an enlarged prostate, tests revealed he also has cancer — though the palace is not saying what kind. other members of the royal family are expected to fill the breach, in particular prince william and queen camilla. prince harry is due to fly to the uk to see his father in the coming days. we can get the latest from our royal correspondent sarah campbell. his work saying it is them north of optimism in this statement from the palace, albeit a certain amount of shockin palace, albeit a certain amount of shock in the household and around
10:37 pm
the country at what has been diagnosed. the country at what has been diagnosed-— the country at what has been diagnosed. you're right and it has been a very _ diagnosed. you're right and it has been a very difficult _ diagnosed. you're right and it has been a very difficult start - diagnosed. you're right and it has been a very difficult start to - diagnosed. you're right and it has been a very difficult start to 2024| been a very difficult start to 2024 for the royal family. been a very difficult start to 2024 for the royalfamily. of course, we had the princess of wales, admitted to hospitalfor abdominal surgery last month and at the same time king charles was also admitted to hospital, on the 26th of january, he was admitted for a procedure to treat a benign enlarged prostate, and watch it now appears is wise that procedure and those tests were taking place in hospital, this cancer was discovered and that news was released today. the king travelled down from where he had been staying in norfolk, and he is now at home in london, and he is undergoing a regular showjewel of undergoing a regular show jewel of treatments. undergoing a regular showjewel of treatments. as you said, we don't know anything more than that, we
10:38 pm
know anything more than that, we know it's not prostate cancer, so we know it's not prostate cancer, so we know it's not prostate cancer, so we know it what it's not but we don't know it what it's not but we don't know what specific cancer it is because the parties have chosen not to release that information, but as you said, shocking news. the king is 75, he is generally regarded as a fit man who eats well, doesn't drink too much, takes plenty of exercise so this diagnosis is quite shocking and i think people have been shocked by it, but as you see a note of positivity from the statement released by buckingham palace earlier today. released by buckingham palace earliertoday. it released by buckingham palace earlier today. it said the king is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure and he remains positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to her for duty as soonest. what does as soon as possible mean? that is a big
10:39 pm
question and that is subject to details we arejust question and that is subject to details we are just not being made aware of in terms of the type of cancer, the severity, and how quickly he was diagnosed and treatment. it quickly he was diagnosed and treatment-— quickly he was diagnosed and treatment. , , ., ., treatment. it is unusual and we should make — treatment. it is unusual and we should make that _ treatment. it is unusual and we should make that point - treatment. it is unusual and we should make that point with - treatment. it is unusual and we should make that point with a l should make that point with a statement like this from the royal family, but they king says in the statements he wanted to share his diagnosis to prevent spec collection and hope it may assist with public understanding for those affected by cancer and the people we spoke to tonight from the cancer treatment fraternity it said it will help and they might be more prepared to discuss what they're going through as well. �* , . ., , , as well. there've been countless comments _ as well. there've been countless comments from _ as well. there've been countless comments from major _ as well. there've been countless comments from major charities i as well. there've been countless - comments from major charities saying there can be no better a pr, obviously in unfortunate circumstances but in terms of bringing this issue so i had, we saw
10:40 pm
because of the check, the benign prostate enlargement, the number of men which have been and had a check and investigated this exponentially, notjust here in the uk, but around the globe, in terms of the palace, we know he has released this information about his diagnosis, and it says in a statement this information was released in the opening may assist public understanding for those around the world affected by cancer, and it certainly seems to be the reaction from these big cancer charities, saying that somebody —— having somebody so prominent come out and talk about a personal diagnosis like this is a very positive sign. we also know that his majesty and the queen camilla are patrons of cancer charities, the i've spoken to many many people of been diagnosed with
10:41 pm
cancer and they are i am hoping —— i'm sure, hoping the release of this information is effectively for the greater good. flan information is effectively for the greater good-— information is effectively for the creater aood. ., ., ~ ., greater good. can we talk about the ressure greater good. can we talk about the pressure this _ greater good. can we talk about the pressure this puts _ greater good. can we talk about the pressure this puts on _ greater good. can we talk about the pressure this puts on the _ greater good. can we talk about the | pressure this puts on the immediate family, in particular prince william who is caring for the princess of wales who is convalescing at the moment westmark what would be expected of him in the coming weeks and months? you expected of him in the coming weeks and months?— and months? you are right, the olice and months? you are right, the police have _ and months? you are right, the police have said _ and months? you are right, the police have said that _ and months? you are right, the police have said that although l and months? you are right, the l police have said that although the king is not taking on public facing duties, so we won't see him out and about, he is carrying on with his administrative tasks, going through the state beepers —— state papers, the state beepers —— state papers, the red boxes as they are called, and will continue meeting the prime minister rishi sunak, every week, and taken meetings. you are right, in terms of going out and carrying out engagements, last year he carried out something like 517 engagements, he won't be doing any of those for the foreseeable future,
10:42 pm
so who was at fault to? you are right, prince williams, the prince of wales, who is not only coping with his wife, the princess of wales who is convalescing, we are not actually to see her until after easter, he also has three children, so from a personal perspective it would be a difficult time, but he would be a difficult time, but he would have to shoulder more of these engagements, and let's not forget, queen camilla, she is 76 years old, she would have to take on engagements. there are no plans at the moments to the scale down any of her engagements, so expect to see more of queen camilla and prince william, there is a princess royal and the duke and duchess of edinburgh who will do their bit to help out, but this has indications for the family and their workload. we have heard a lot in recent years of the royal family slimming down.
10:43 pm
there's obviously a focus on what the royal family cost and how much of the burden a taxpayer carries, but when you have a bozo in this like you have seen through the family, it looks alarmingly lean? the duke of york a step back recently from public duty, so he wanted on any engagements and also prince harry and megan, the duke and duchess of sussex about 12 step back from their duties, under ben's harry fun, we know they king spoke to both of his sons until the news and we understand in the coming days prince harry will be flying in from the states to be near his family. we know what's going on in the last three years and that relations have been difficult. last year, prince harry was there for the coronation but that was it, he was back in the country a few times for some court cases but not to see his family. so,
10:44 pm
clearly people will be wondering whether that reproach meant that people have been open for between prince harry and his family, maybe this would be the news that bring them closer. this would be the news that bring them closer-— this would be the news that bring them closer. ., , , , . ., ., them closer. there was speculation at the coronation that _ them closer. there was speculation at the coronation that now - them closer. there was speculation at the coronation that now with - at the coronation that now with the late queen has passed, perhaps the repetition and prominence of the royal family would be diminished, butjudging by the reaction today, and the comments from world leaders, reacting to the news, that doesn't seem to be the case. you reacting to the news, that doesn't seem to be the case.— reacting to the news, that doesn't seem to be the case. you are right, whenever there _ seem to be the case. you are right, whenever there is _ seem to be the case. you are right, whenever there is a _ seem to be the case. you are right, whenever there is a big _ seem to be the case. you are right, whenever there is a big royal- whenever there is a big royal story, it tends to travel around the globe very quickly, not least because the king is notjust king here in the uk, but also king of 14 other rooms, so we have heard from the prime ministers of australia and canada, but we have also heard from other world leaders, president biden and others. let's not forget, king charles, was he has only been king since his mother passed away in
10:45 pm
2022, he has been a globalfigure on the world stage for decades. so, people across the world will be following this story with a huge amount of interest.— following this story with a huge amount of interest. sarah campbell in the newsroom _ amount of interest. sarah campbell in the newsroom might _ amount of interest. sarah campbell in the newsroom might think - amount of interest. sarah campbell| in the newsroom might think you for that. our home editor mark easton is outside buckingham palace and can explain more. interesting that he's come to buckingham palace. he's at his place of work. and i think you can tell in the way that this announcement has been made, the care that has gone into the statement, the the information that's been and i think what's really telling from the way that the statement has been put together. enormous care has been taken to say that the king is not being king any more. he's absolutely they're doing all that he needs to do in terms of his state functions. yes. some public facing events will will go, but actually he will do his red boxes.
10:46 pm
he will have his weekly meeting with the prime minister. he will attend or at least be in attendance at privy council meetings and so on. and i think you can tell in the way that this announcement has been made, the care that has gone into the statement, the the information that's been given to the media, some of it we were unable to report until 6:00 this evening. it was all embargoed, but a real sense that there's been a lot of planning. now, of course, there is a whole system of protocols designed to make sure that the the british state doesn't miss a beat when the head of it has to step back, as indeed has happened on this occasion. so we will know that probably a few days ago, as soon as the the king was aware of this diagnosis, his private secretary will have been in touch with the prime minister's private secretary and the cabinet secretary, the so—called golden triangle, to ensure that all the bits of of government and constitution are joined together. there's that. i also think it's interesting, you know, that we did have those photographs from yesterday morning at st mary magdalene church
10:47 pm
in sandringham because it was it was a sort of i think now we see it and it's a sort of statement, isn't it? it's sort of saying, i'm here, i'm still your king. "i'm still very much connected to the people. i'm smiling, i'm waving, i'm visible". and i'm sure that when they were thinking about how they were going to do this, there would been planning about we want to make sure that the king is not invisible. there would have been a new portrait issued by the palace which was taken in france recently of the king. again, important that the king is still visible. he will, of course, not be visible for a considerable time now. but those images in the last few days, i think, have been very carefully thought out and also that sense that he is going to carry on with all these duties that he is going to despite i mean, it would have been relatively easy for him to say, "look, i've got cancer". i'm going to have to step back".
10:48 pm
there are systems for ensuring that that all happens. these councillors of state, as you've been discussing earlier, that would be the queen, queen camilla, the prince william and so on, and the group of people who could have been brought in to take over far more of his duties. but the king hass quite clearly said, "no, i don't i don't even want them to be in the available. i want we don't need that. i'm not going to be that person. i'm going to be somebody who is at my desk doing what i need to do as much as i possibly can". and i think there's been a lot of messaging here to the british public to say, you know, "i am the king going on with my health right now". the king being diagnosed with cancer has filled the front pages of tomorrow's newspapers.
10:49 pm
"king has cancer" is the headline in the metro. the paper says the royal health shock came as surgeons discovered it during his surgery for an enlarged prostate. it reports that palace officials have confirmed that it is not prostate cancer. and it says that prince harry will be flying in to see his father. "stepping back" notes the ft. the paper reports how the monarch will refrain from public—facing duties while receiving treatment, but would continue to undertake state business and official paper "as usual", according to the palace. the guardian details comments from buckingham palace that the king "remains wholly positive" about his treatment. and that he personally informed both of his sons — the prince of wales and duke of sussex — about his diagnosis. it says his majesty chose to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation, and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer. the i reports how no details have
10:50 pm
been shared by the palace on the type of cancer or the prognosis. and doctors have applauded his transparency and say they hope the announcement will persuade more people to get possible symptoms checked. "king's cancer shock" is the mirror's headline. the paper notes how well—wishers sent messages of support to the king, he praised medics for their rapid diagnosis. and the daily star has: king charles: i have cancer and harry to fly in after the shock news. similar headlines across the papers. i spoke to drjeff foster, a gp who specialises in men's health — and he told me how this kind of diagnosis might have come about. you are more likely to get certain cancers at certain ages and obviously in your 70s. we can only speculate, obviously, but what is probably happened is you going for
10:51 pm
your benign prostate, no suspicion that the prostate is cancerous but because you're having checks and balances for other things, they will probably would have screamed for other processes at the time, probably a ct or mri scan around the pelvis and either a blood test would have come back or abnormal or part of the skin would highlight something abnormal. the two most common ones are probably either a type of blood cancer which is common in that age group or something entirely separate, a bio oil or some other issue, just looking at the scan. the first step for the source of patience is get as much detail as you can, and that will help you decide the type of treatment, whether for chemotherapy or other therapy. and the new look at what your progress and prognosis will be going forward. in your progress and prognosis will be going forward-— going forward. in terms of discussing _ going forward. in terms of discussing his _ going forward. in terms of discussing his workload i going forward. in terms of. discussing his workload which going forward. in terms of- discussing his workload which we have been doing, which is significant for a head of state, does it serve people to keep people
10:52 pm
busy? does a mental process of getting through a red box, does that help or get in the way of treatment? it is individual, but for all the cancer patients i've looked out over the years, people approach things differently, and some we want to get on and make life as normal as they can and want wanted to get in the way of things, and others will have no ability to focus on anything else other than the cancer itself. based on what we know, and it's only a public perception of that moniker —— monarchy, he seems to want to do as much of the sheep can during this time, because it keeps you motivated undistracted and subsidy focusing on something that's present. [30 undistracted and subsidy focusing on something that's present.— something that's present. do the treatments _ something that's present. do the treatments gets _ something that's present. do the treatments gets in _ something that's present. do the treatments gets in the _ something that's present. do the treatments gets in the way - something that's present. do the treatments gets in the way of - something that's present. do the i treatments gets in the way of that? do they leave people so low they can't do the physical work? it’s can't do the physical work? it's fair to say _
10:53 pm
can't do the physical work? it's fair to say no — can't do the physical work? it�*s fair to say no matter what cancer treatments you have, you have to be a super resilient, tough stuff, of any age should not be affected by cancer therapies, and if you're someone in your 70s, it's fair to say you are going to be knocked back a bit. if it's a surgery, then obviously the surgery itself will have a good soul but even the chemotherapy and radiotherapy, they knock you out, and people are exhausted when they're on chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and you cannot do your full—time dayjob at the same time you're going through cancer treatment. you have to adapt and give yourself that time to adapt and give yourself that time to get back on track. hour to adapt and give yourself that time to get back on track.— to get back on track. how pleased are ou to get back on track. how pleased are you that _ to get back on track. how pleased are you that someone _ to get back on track. how pleased are you that someone in - to get back on track. how pleased are you that someone in the - to get back on track. how pleased j are you that someone in the kings position has taken the decision to be as open as he can be in the hope that it advances awareness around the country? if that it advances awareness around the country?— the country? if you're in a position where you — the country? if you're in a position where you chosen _ the country? if you're in a position where you chosen men's - the country? if you're in a position where you chosen men's health i the country? if you're in a position| where you chosen men's health for the country? if you're in a position i where you chosen men's health for a speciality and your display trying to get people, men and particularly, to get people, men and particularly, to talk about things they don't want to talk about things they don't want to talk about things they don't want to talk about, you don't get better
10:54 pm
pr than the monarch is talking about themselves. it's terrible that she's unwell, and none of us would ever wish it, but in terms of apr, media tour, he has been my dream to stop this guy is amazing, and more people coming and talking about men's health than i've ever had. really, since we have _ health than i've ever had. really, since we have been _ health than i've ever had. really, since we have been talking - health than i've ever had. really, since we have been talking about| health than i've ever had. really, i since we have been talking about an enlarged prostate you have been hearing the object? yes. enlarged prostate you have been hearing the object?— enlarged prostate you have been hearing the object? hearing the ob'ect? yes, people of cominu for hearing the object? yes, people of coming for non-health-related i hearing the object? yes, people of i coming for non-health-related men's coming for non—health—related men's issues, and it's notjust prostate, and they've made a jump forward talking about other things like ball as testosterone deficiency, all these things that are sort of a bit nervous and uncomfortable him up so many guys have started to come forward, and we notice on on all aspects, it's been really positive. there is a valid point made
10:55 pm
previously, with difficulties in the health services in the past year, not everyone will get the treatment that the king will get over the coming weeks and months, does that frustrate you that at the moment cancer care is not getting the intention it deserves? this cancer care is not getting the intention it deserves?- cancer care is not getting the intention it deserves? this is my 20th ear intention it deserves? this is my 20th year as _ intention it deserves? this is my 20th year as a — intention it deserves? this is my 20th year as a doctor— intention it deserves? this is my 20th year as a doctor and - intention it deserves? this is my 20th year as a doctor and i i intention it deserves? this is my 20th year as a doctor and i can l 20th year as a doctor and i can categorically see in the last couple of years, is just been the worst it's ever been in the nhs. i struggle, dated eight to go through ourjob without finding feelings at the managerial and political level that drive me up the wall. it is so hard because it's not your patient�*s fault, and they're desperately trying to get the care they had even five years ago, that we cannot offer them any more, and i cannot see how how primary care is ever going to go back to what it was until some radical change. sadly, this is an awful impact on peoples health and
10:56 pm
cancer care in particular.— cancer care in particular. before i let ou cancer care in particular. before i let you go. _ cancer care in particular. before i let you go. jeff. _ cancer care in particular. before i let you go, jeff, lots _ cancer care in particular. before i let you go, jeff, lots of men i cancer care in particular. before i let you go, jeff, lots of men will. let you go, jeff, lots of men will be watching, get tested?- let you go, jeff, lots of men will be watching, get tested? yes, but don't 'ust be watching, get tested? yes, but don'tjust go _ be watching, get tested? yes, but don'tjust go to — be watching, get tested? yes, but don'tjust go to your— be watching, get tested? yes, but don'tjust go to your doctor - be watching, get tested? yes, but don'tjust go to your doctor and i be watching, get tested? yes, but| don'tjust go to your doctor and say they want a certain test, it would not help, the demand in the nhs is enormous as it is, we spent a lot of time in medicine talking about screening for cancers, and the best thing we can do is talk about how people are getting cancers in the first place, how can we venture men are healthier and fits her and leave —— lead veteran lies in general. cancer screening is important but what can we do for all men to help them with better quality lives? find them with better quality lives? and what is that, _ them with better quality lives? and what is that, exercise or food? sadly, numb know it is earth shattering stuff, is a good diet, exercise, not sitting down all day, getting a good night sleep, not
10:57 pm
stressing, not being overweight, don't smoke, have alcohol in moderation, it is been heard lots of times but it makes a difference. in prostate cancer and more —— most other cancers, it's a lifestyle subsets sensible, so if you do want to try to do something, it's a good opportunity to take that on board. doctorjeff foster with some good advice for all men who might be watching. there have been numerous responses from around the globe to the news of king charles�*s cancer diagnosis. from westminster, we've heard from the prime minister rishi sunak. mr sunak said: wishing his majesty a full and speedy recovery. i have no doubt he'll be back to full strength in no time and i know the whole country will be wishing him well. and here's the northern and in first minister said. —— northern ireland first
10:58 pm
minister. this from the leader of the democratic unionist party, jeffrey donaldson. the welsh first minister mark drakeford said. in the past few minutes, the scottish first minister, humza yousaf has been giving his reaction. i send my thoughts and prayers to his majesty, the king, and i wish them well for a full recovery and it returned back to public life, let me also send my very best wishes and thoughts with her majesty the queen, and all members of the royal family, who will be deeply worried at this time. i don't think it matters with
10:59 pm
your member of the royal family or are not, if a family member has cancer, that would always be extremely worrying, so i send them my very best wishes, not just extremely worrying, so i send them my very best wishes, notjust on behalf of myself personally, but on behalf of myself personally, but on behalf of myself personally, but on behalf of the entire nation. the scottish first _ behalf of the entire nation. the scottish first minister humza yousaf. the news broke quite late this evening, under embargo until 6pm uk time, so limited reaction so far. here are some from the streets tonight. far. here are some from the streets toniaht. ., ., far. here are some from the streets tonight-_ sad _ far. here are some from the streets tonight-_ sad to - far. here are some from the streets tonight._ sad to hear. tonight. sad to hear. sad to hear that anyone _ tonight. sad to hear. sad to hear that anyone is — tonight. sad to hear. sad to hear that anyone is diagnosed - tonight. sad to hear. sad to hear that anyone is diagnosed with i that anyone is diagnosed with cancer, — that anyone is diagnosed with cancer, set for him. i that anyone is diagnosed with cancer, set for him.— that anyone is diagnosed with cancer, set for him. i feel sad about it, _ cancer, set for him. i feel sad about it, interesting - cancer, set for him. i feel sad about it, interesting with i cancer, set for him. i feel sad about it, interesting with all. cancer, set for him. i feel sad i about it, interesting with all the news _ about it, interesting with all the news about _ about it, interesting with all the news about him _ about it, interesting with all the news about him it's _ about it, interesting with all the news about him it's not - about it, interesting with all the news about him it's not to - about it, interesting with all the news about him it's not to do i about it, interesting with all the i news about him it's not to do with the prostate. _ news about him it's not to do with the prostate. i_ news about him it's not to do with the prostate, ithink— news about him it's not to do with the prostate, i think they - news about him it's not to do with the prostate, i think they said i news about him it's not to do with the prostate, i think they said is aj the prostate, i think they said is a different— the prostate, i think they said is a different cancer, _ the prostate, i think they said is a different cancer, but _ the prostate, i think they said is a different cancer, but hopefully i different cancer, but hopefully they've — different cancer, but hopefully they've caught _ different cancer, but hopefully they've caught it _
11:00 pm
different cancer, but hopefully they've caught it early - different cancer, but hopefully they've caught it early and i different cancer, but hopefullyl they've caught it early and they will he — they've caught it early and they will be up — they've caught it early and they will be up to— they've caught it early and they will be up to fix _ they've caught it early and they will be up to fix it. _ king charles has been diagnosed with cancer — buckingham palace says he will continue with state duties — but step back from public engagements during his treatment. the palace says the cancer was identified during the king's recent trip to hospital for an enlarged prostate — but haven't said what type of cancer it is. america's top diplomat visits the middle east for talks — prince harry has spoken to his father and will travel back to the uk in the coming days. world leaders have sent their well wishes as the king begins his treatment. buckingham palace has announced that the king is being treated for cancer.
11:01 pm
he will continue with state duties but will step back from public engagements during his treatment. during the king's recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. he remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible. prince harry will fly to the uk to see his father in the coming days. our royal correspondent daniela relph has the latest. the news of his diagnosis came as a real shock to both the king and south, but also to the wider royal family. many of whom will now have to step up as the monarch steps back from royal duty.
11:02 pm
there was little sign yesterday of the announcement about to be made. the king was pictured on the sandringham estate in norfolk walking to church with queen camilla. it was thought to be recovering after a hospital stay. exactly a week ago today, the king left a private hospital in central london, where he had spent three nights being treated for an enlarged prostate, and we now know during his stay here cancer was discovered. in a statement, released at six o'clock this evening, buckingham palace said... although open about his diagnosis, buckingham palace says the form of cancer of the king has will be kept private. as will the nature of his treatment. all of his public engagements
11:03 pm
have been cancelled. last week the queen was asked how her husband was recovering from his prostate condition, during a visit to a new cancer support centre at a north london hospital. she said he was doing his best. the king's condition means royal duties will have to be picked up elsewhere. with the prince of wales and others taking on some of the engagements. prince william himself has been away from royal duty for three weeks, following his wife's stay in hospitalfor surgery, but he returns to work this wednesday. queen camilla is central to this and also the princess royal is crucial, and the duke and duchess of edinburgh will be stepping up. it is a slimmed down monarchy but it is a team and it will have to regroup and adapt. the king will have a visitor
11:04 pm
this week as well. it is understood the duke of sussex will be travelling to the uk from his home in california to see his father who contacted him personally with news of his diagnosis. it is the first time prince harry has seen the king since the coronation. this is a testing time for the king and the wider royal family. as they balance personal, private challenges, with the need to continue with the public duties. in the past, british monarchs have not chosen to share the diagnosis of any serious illness with the public. any constitutional issues that have arisen have been discussed behind closed doors. king charles has broken with that tradition but made it clear he intends to continue working on affairs of state as much as possible. here's our royal correspondent nicholas witchell. he is 75 years of age and like anyone receiving a diagnosis of cancer, irrespective of their position,
11:05 pm
he is having to deal with a sharp reminder of his own mortality. in terms of his constitutional role as head of state, notjust of the uk but of 14 other nations as well, that is unaffected, so long as he is not physically incapacitated and there is no suggestion of that. though it appears he will disappear from public view, he will continue to deal with the red boxes, the state papers which come to him every day. there are a multitude of documents from parliamentary bills to a host of other things which require his attention and his signature. if he were to become incapacitated, then other members of the royal family would step forward as counsellors of state, his wife, his siblings, and his sons are all counsellors of state, but there is an acceptance that neither andrew or the absent
11:06 pm
harry could se seen to perform such a role. in the early 1950s charles�*s grandfather king george vi had been diagnosed with lung cancer, and he underwent an operation at buckingham palace to remove one lung and other members of the family including his wife could have fulfilled his constitutional role while he was incapacitated. however, there is nothing to suggest such an arrangement will be required in the case of charles. if things change, then a decision would have to be made for counsellors of state to be appointed and the king would have to sign the letters patented effectively springing the counsellors of state into life, and two of them would have to act, effectively deputising for the king. so for king charles, a fit 75—year—old who has generally capped with life with resilience and humour, there is now the challenge
11:07 pm
of dealing with the levelling impact of cancer. though the prognosis appears to be good, it would be a considerable and often solitary test. nicholas witchell, bbc news. the core connection exists between monarch and government, between buckingham palace and westminster, and while we will be seeing less of the king in the coming weeks and months as he undergoes his treatment in public, our understanding is he will continue with his private work, that state —based work that was referred to in a few minutes ago, so he will still receive those red boxes, that daily paperwork that arrives and flows between the palace
11:08 pm
and westminster. he will still continue with his weekly audience as with the prime minister. our understanding is that they will still be face to unless the doctors working with the king which would advise him that perhaps he should limit in person contact, how many people he is seen face—to—face. as you might expect politicians around the world and around the uk have been spending their best wishes and the speaker of the house of commons, so lindsay hoyle, offered these reflections in the chamber a few hours ago. i reflections in the chamber a few hours ago-— reflections in the chamber a few hours ao. , ., .w ., , ., hours ago. i wish to make a short statement- _ hours ago. i wish to make a short statement- i— hours ago. i wish to make a short statement. i know _ hours ago. i wish to make a short statement. i know the _ hours ago. i wish to make a short statement. i know the whole i hours ago. i wish to make a short i statement. i know the whole house well wish to join me statement. i know the whole house well wish tojoin me in expressing our sympathies with his majesty the king following the news this evening. ourthoughts king following the news this evening. our thoughts are of course with his majesty and this family, and with all wishes to send him our very best wishes for the successful
11:09 pm
treatment and speedy recovery following tonight's news. and treatment and speedy recovery following tonight's news. and her reaction as _ following tonight's news. and her reaction as well _ following tonight's news. and her reaction as well from _ following tonight's news. and her reaction as well from political- reaction as well from political leaders around the world. among them, the prime minister's of australia and of canada. and indeed from president biden in the united states, who told reporters, "i'm concerned about them. ijust heard about his diagnosis. i will be talking to him. god willing." chris mason speaking to us just a little bit earlier. let's get some news from north america. a lot of this will be focused on the king, david and of course, his second sun, the duke of sussex, prince harry. we here tonight that he is actually coming back before he goes to the infected schemes later next week. is that right? that goes to the infected schemes later next week. is that right?— next week. is that right? that is riuht. next week. is that right? that is right- and _ next week. is that right? that is right. and that _ next week. is that right? that is right. and that has _ next week. is that right? that is right. and that has been - next week. is that right? that is i right. and that has been confirmed by prince harry to the bbc and that
11:10 pm
journey may take place today, certainly it is entered and though the word is that meghan markle is to remain in california, meant to sedo home, about 90 miles up the coast from here with their children. but prince harry, we hear, was told personally, of course by king charles of his a diagnosis today along with prince william, of course as well. and there is a lot of concern here in the united states given the close ties between the two nations. we have heard from leaders here, canada and australia, other parts of the commonwealth as well. really interesting comments tonight from president biden. he didn't come to the coronation but said that he was concerned to hear about the king's health and would be calling him imminently, but suggests there is a relationship between the two men. ,
36 Views
IN COLLECTIONS
BBC News Television Archive Television Archive News Search ServiceUploaded by TV Archive on