When Queen Elizabeth II ascended the royal throne in 1952, plans for Operation London Bridge started shortly after.
The plan, the codename for operations to take place after her death, included details like the announcement of her death, mourning, her state funeral and King Charles III ascension to the throne.
After the queen died in 2022, the former Prince of Wales, who waited more than 70 years to wear the crown, became the oldest person in British history to accede to the throne.
And he wasnāt able to enjoy his new role for very long.
In January 2024, less than one year after his May 2023 coronation, Charles underwent a ācorrective procedureā to treat benign prostate enlargement.
In February, only one month after his procedure, the palace announced that cancer ā not prostate ā was discovered.
āI would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishesā¦As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement,āĀ Charles writesĀ in a statement shared February 10, 2024, on the royal familyās social media accounts.
āIt is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organisations which support cancer patients and their families across the UK and wider world. My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience.ā
