King Charles' Condition Questioned After TV Comment

King Charles III's cancer diagnosis was questioned by a journalist on British TV, sparking a social media backlash.

Carole Malone was condemned after she suggested on U.K. chat show Jeremy Vine on 5 that the king did not have cancer.

She offered no explanation about why the palace would feel the need to lie, or what the purpose would be of covering up what she believes his actual health issue to be. Nor did she say how she came by her information, making it impossible for the public to judge whether she was peddling absurd gossip or relaying facts from a reliable source.

Her comments were then amplified by supporters of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on social media, with one post on X being viewed 1 million times.

The saga is further evidence of just how difficult a line the royals tread in attempting to maintain privacy around health issues in a context where any mystery at all can lead to conspiracy theories.

It also adds to rampant speculation on social media about Kate Middleton, who has been recovering from abdominal surgery.

What Carole Malone Said About King Charles and Cancer

Malone said: "What Charles did was a great thing with the prostate thing."

Host Jeremy Vine replied: "Well he didn't tell us what cancer he had," while Malone added: "He doesn't have cancer but what he had was he was having a prostate procedure. I don't know that it is cancer. He had an enlarged prostate."

Vine said: "He had a prostate test, the prostate was fine, but he was diagnosed with cancer of another part."

Malone replied: "I can't say what it is, but I know, but anyway."

Newsweek reached out to Channel 5 and Buckingham Palace for comment.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement on February 5: "During The King's recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.

"His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.

"His Majesty has 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."

The palace clarified that it wasn't prostate cancer, but a different type, which wasn't revealed.

Social Media Reaction to Carole Malone's Theory

Malone's comment sparked a backlash on Twitter, where some suggested it was inappropriate to speculate about a person's cancer diagnosis.

One post, viewed 112,000 times, read: "What Carole Malone is doing is dangerous and wrong. I don't care what differences one have with Charles, spreading lies about the man's cancer diagnosis is wrong on so many levels.

"He wouldn't lie about having cancer. That's a serious disease and it's not to be played with...."

Historian and author Leanda de Lisle wrote: "She is just breathlessly wittering that he doesn't have (prostate) cancer but she knows the secret of what cancer he does have because she is soooo well connected."

Another post read: "I wouldn't get too excited about anything that this know-nothing says."

However, Malone's comments were also spread further. One Harry and Meghan supporter got 1 million views after posting the clip on X, formerly Twitter, with the message: "HAS KING CHARLES GOT CANCER OR NOT?

"Strange exchange between Carole & Jeremy Vine today. Carole Malone: 'He hasn't got cancer....I can't say what it is but I know.'

"Since the Royal Family/The Monarchy has a history of lying & cover ups it's not unfair to question what they tell us. Thoughts?"

Another Harry and Meghan supporter got 885,000 views on a post that read: "In a Freudian slip, Carole Malone states that Charles doesn't have cancer.

"She knows what he has but can't tell us. So, was the cancer announcement merely a cover for a toppling House of Windsor?"

That post was retweeted by Denise Welch, a commentator on ITV daytime show Loose Women, who wrote: "What???? 🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️."

Who Is Carole Malone?

The bizarre remarks appeared to forge an unlikely alliance between members of Prince Harry and Meghan's "Sussex Squad" supporters and a woman whose former newspaper, U.K. tabloid the News of the World, had to apologize in 2009 after her article wrongly claimed illegal immigrants were given "free cars."

She was a contestant on perhaps the most controversial Celebrity Big Brother series the U.K. has ever seen when 44,000 complaints to regulator Ofcom alleged racist bullying of Indian actress Shilpa Shetty by a number of contestants.

Malone was not one of those accused, but later told ITV's This Morning: "I don't think it is racism, but I think it is bullying on a grand scale."

One contestant, Jade Goody, said Shetty should "go back to the slums" while Danielle Lloyd later added: "I think she should f*** off home."

Goody's mother, also a contestant, at points referred to Shetty as "the Indian," while another housemate suggested Shetty had undercooked a chicken breast and added: "That's why they're all thin, because they're sick all the time, because they're ill."

Malone wrote an article for the Sunday Mirror on May 27, 2007, with the headline: "I WAS IN THAT BB HOUSE AND I SAY: Jade's gang are the real victims."

Malone wrote: "I MAY be in a minority of one here, but I still don't believe what happened in the Big Brother house was racist. It was bullying, it was offensive, it was cruel, but what you saw on screen wasn't racist.

"It was about three silly girls who were jealous of a woman prettier, more sophisticated and more mature than they were. Jealousy was at the root of what happened to Shilpa Shetty, NOT racism."

She suggested "being 'bullied' has proved to be very profitable for" Shetty and added: "So much for being a victim."

Jack Royston is Newsweek's chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.

Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.