King Charles and Queen Camilla leave the London Clinic on January 29, 2024.
Buckingham Palace announced King Charles III has cancer.
  • On Monday, Buckingham Palace announced King Charles was diagnosed with cancer. 
  • The monarch will not be participating in "public-facing duties" while he undergoes treatment.
  • Other senior royals will have to step up in the meantime, but the monarchy is smaller than ever.

The announcement Monday that King Charles III has cancer has shone a light on just how fragile the British monarchy is.