With a little less than a year and a half as Britain’s Monarch, King Charles was diagnosed with cancer. Charles’s recent health problems started last month when Buckingham Palace announced on January 17 that the King would undergo a “corrective procedure”. King Charles has decided to be clear and open about the fact that he has cancer.

In a statement made by the palace, the monarch had “chosen 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”. Though he does not disclose what kind, he has said it was not prostate cancer.

A week ago, the king was discharged following treatment for an enlarged prostate, which the palace stated was not cancerous. What does this mean for Britain’s monarch? Well, Buckingham Palace has said that the king will postpone his public-facing duties while he undergoes cancer treatment. The news of his diagnosis had led to uncertainty about the road ahead.

Like any monarch, King Charles can call upon counsellors of the state to take his place when he is unable to undertake royal duties. There are normally four counsellors from the line of succession. Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, and Princess Beatrice are the known counsellors who will take over for King Charles. But last year, Charles requested an increase in the number of counsellors, Sister Anne and Brother Edward, who were also allowed to carry out duties on his behalf. Prince William, the next in line to the throne will most likely play the most important role in his father’s absence.

King Charles seemed to be doing well when he was seen leaving the hospital on Sunday. With Queen Camilla by his side, he looked to be in good spirits while the couple made their way to St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk for a Sunday morning church service.