On Feb. 5, U.K. officials announced that King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer. Although reports did not say what kind of cancer the 75-year-old was diagnosed with, they did say he will suspend his public engagements to undergo treatment. 

The announcement comes less than two years after Queen Elizabeth II died, leaving the throne to Charles, who waited longer than anyone in history to reach the top of the British monarchy. His son William, Prince of Wales, is next in the line of succession. 

Monarchs hold a much smaller role in British politics than they did a century ago, although they still dominate the news cycle. Charles is the Head of State, yet legislation does not pass through him, but through Parliament, an elected body. 

While public facing duties will indefinitely come to a halt, Charles will continue his private duties, which include meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Sunak is the leader of the Conservative Party and has served as prime minister since 2022. Sunak is just 42 years old, the youngest prime minister since 1812. 

Sunak’s background is in business, starting as an analyst for Goldman Sachs and moving up to a hedge fund manager at several different companies. He was first elected to Parliament in 2014. 

Prime ministers are proposed by the Head of State, but put to a vote in Parliament. Monarchs typically recommend those who already have enough support to gain the position.