Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia
King Charles’ cousin also suffers from cancer
Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia (left) was also diagnosed with cancer.
© imago/Newscom / EyePress / imago/imagebroker
King Charles’ bold move to make his cancer diagnosis public is already showing results. So his cousin did the same.
When King Charles III. (75) decided this week not to keep his cancer diagnosis a secret, but according to a statement from Buckingham Palace, he did so “for the public’s understanding.” Already with success: a close relative of the British monarch was inspired by this step to report that he was suffering from cancer. Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia (78), Charles’ cousin, stated via press release“finding out in December last year that I had early-stage prostate cancer.”
A year before this diagnosis, Crown Prince Alexander had already had a biopsy carried out, but at that time the doctors were still able to give the all-clear. The shock diagnosis came at the end of 2023. “At that moment I was horrified. But I was not alone,” the statement said. He doesn’t just mean his family and friends, but also all other people who suffer from cancer. After various further tests and an operation, he finally heard “by far the most beautiful words from my doctor – ‘Everything is clean again'”.
His message of hope to Charles – and everyone else
The fact that his “cousin and friend” Charles’ cancer was discovered early gave him “great hope.” Crown Prince Alexander also emphasized in his statement that he was inspired to do the same by Charles’ courage in making the diagnosis public. He also wants to set a good example and encourage people to “react and take care of their health.” Because both Charles’ and his illness show “that it can happen to all of us. But if we deal with it responsibly, the outcome can be good.”
King Charles was recently hospitalized for prostate surgery. “The subsequent diagnostic tests revealed a form of cancer,” said a statement from Buckingham Palace shortly afterwards. What form of cancer it was was not communicated. However, Charles is also optimistic that he will be able to beat the illness and “return to his public duties as soon as possible.”