The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, has been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, following the removal of a cancerous mole during treatment for breast cancer.

Her spokesman said the duchess remains in high spirits, despite it being distressing to have another cancer diagnosis.

The 64-year old duchess was married to the Duke of York, Prince Andrew for 10 years and bore him two daughters, before they divorced in 1996.

She is the third royal family member to announce a medical procedure within a week, after Kensington Palace confirmed the Princess of Wales, Katherine, would stay in hospital for up to two weeks after undergoing planned abdominal surgery, and shortly after announced King Charles would receive treatment for a benign prostate condition in an undisclosed hospital in the coming days.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer caused by ultraviolet light, which comes from the sun, and can spread to other parts of the body.