King Charles III, 75, underwent surgery to enlarge his prostate on Friday after being admitted to hospital in the morning and is now “doing well” and is expected to spend at least one night in hospital, BBC News and Sky News reported, citing News.ro.

The procedure was carried out at the London Clinic private hospital, where Catherine, Princess of Wales, was also operated on last week. The king also visited his daughter-in-law in hospital on Friday morning before the operation.

Queen Camilla accompanied the king to the hospital but left the hospital later at around 3pm local time.

The prime minister’s spokeswoman Rishi Sunaka said he sent the king his best wishes for a “speedy recovery”.

King Charles went public with his health problem last week, saying he was sending a message to other men to get their prostates checked.

Many men worry that an enlarged prostate means an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. This is not true, but benign prostate enlargement can sometimes lead to complications such as urinary tract infection, chronic urinary retention, and acute urinary retention. The cause of prostate enlargement is unknown, but it is believed to be related to hormonal changes with age.

After King Charles’ condition became known, the number of searches on the website of the NHS – the British health system – increased about prostate enlargement, which sparked the interest of doctors and charities.

Buckingham Palace said the king was “delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness”. He also thanked those who “sent him their wishes.”

According to the National Health Service, an enlarged prostate, a benign non-cancerous problem of the prostate, is common in older men. About one in three men over the age of 50 will have some symptoms of an enlarged prostate, the gland located just below the bladder.

The treatment to which the king has been subjected is not so serious as to require constitutional changes regarding the role of the king as head of state. There is no need for “state advisers” to replace the monarch. However, the king’s public appearances will be postponed after he undergoes a procedure to correct an enlarged prostate.

The king was being treated at the same hospital where his daughter-in-law Catherine underwent “abdominal surgery” last week. In her case, the problem was more serious, but it was not cancer. After being discharged, she is expected to spend several months recuperating at home in Windsor, meaning the princess will not be involved in any official duties until Easter.

This week there was a third news about the health problems of the British royal family. Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, ex-wife of Prince Andrew, brother of King Charles, was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer. It was discovered during treatment for breast cancer, which he was diagnosed with last summer. “Of course the new cancer diagnosis was a shock, but I am in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support,” said the Duchess, who was married to Prince Andrew.