BBC Newsnight was quick to deliver the latest on the news that King Charles III had been diagnosed with cancer during a recent broadcast but left royal fans frustrated with how it was reported.
On Monday night, it was announced that after undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate, King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer.
He has begun “regular treatments” and will postpone public duties during it, with a spokesperson for the Palace explaining: “[He] remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duties as soon as possible."
There have been no further details of the type of cancer he has been diagnosed with but he felt it was important to go public with the recent news.
Newsnight released a video on its X account discussing the recent news and immediately jumped to who they thought could be appointed as a “Regent” in the King’s absence.
The accompanying caption read: “He waited 73 years for the job of his life but 17 months in King Charles is already stepping back.
King Charles received his diagnosis after an enlarged prostate check
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“He will continue with his ‘state duties’. But legislation is in place for the unlikely event that he is incapacitated.” (sic)
The video went on to explore who could temporarily take Charles’ place which included Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice.
Royal fans were left upset by the BBC’s “insensitivity” and slammed the coverage underneath the X post.
One user commented: “Is this statement misinformation BBC? ‘King Charles is already stepping back’. That is not what the press statement from Buckingham Palace inferred at all.”
He waited 73 years for the job of his life but 17 months in King Charles is already stepping back.
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) February 5, 2024
He will continue with his “state duties”. But legislation is in place for the unlikely event that he is incapacitated.@joepike explains who by law could appoint a 'Regent' pic.twitter.com/WwzpqX2je8
"This framing is pretty offensive." a second said while another added: “The King was just diagnosed with cancer. Good lord you people are deplorable.”
A fourth furious user penned: “The end of Newsnight cannot come soon enough.”
“This framing is horrendous. You should be ashamed of yourselves,” a fifth user furiously wrote before a sixth X user noted: “What a bunch you BBC people are. Look in the mirror.” (sic)
Since the announcement of the King’s diagnosis, his son Prince Harry has arrived in the UK following an overnight flight from Los Angeles.
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The Duke of Sussex is expected to visit his father, who is currently at Clarence House.
However, the arrival of the Duke of Sussex hasn't sat well with everyone, including royal biographer Tom Bower.
He told GB News on Tuesday afternoon: "I think it's very much because the King pleaded for some sort of reconciliation, I wouldn't trust Harry at all. I think he's got form for disloyalty.
"Harry's arrival is not good news, and I think it's very much part of Harry on a self-promotion trip to give himself publicity, to give himself some sort of fame a moment in the spotlight.
"We must remember that when the King's prostate problem was announced, there was a deafening silence from California.
"Harry never announced that he hoped his father would have a speedy recovery or anything like that. And the Princess of Wales, of course."
