LONDON — Britain’s King Charles was briefly hospitalized on Thursday after experiencing side effects from ongoing cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace confirmed. Royal sources described the incident as a “minor bump in the road,” emphasizing the king’s recovery remains on track.
The 76-year-old monarch has been undergoing treatment since being diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer in February last year. The diagnosis followed tests conducted after a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate.
Buckingham Palace stated that King Charles has since returned to his residence at Clarence House, and, as a precaution, his engagements scheduled for Friday will be rescheduled. Queen Camilla did not accompany him to the hospital.
“His Majesty was due to receive credentials from the ambassadors of three different nations this afternoon. Tomorrow, he was set to undertake four public engagements in Birmingham and is greatly disappointed to be missing them on this occasion,” a palace spokesperson said. “He very much hopes these engagements can be rescheduled in due course and offers his deepest apologies to all those who had worked so hard to make the planned visit possible.”
While the palace declined to specify the nature of the side effects, a royal source described the situation as a “minor setback” that was not uncommon with medical treatments. The king remains in good spirits, continuing to work from his study and making calls, the source added.
His upcoming state visit to Italy next month, accompanied by Queen Camilla, is expected to proceed as planned, and no further health updates are anticipated.
King Charles’ initial cancer diagnosis, made less than 18 months into his reign, came as a shock. However, royal aides have remained optimistic about his health. Although his schedule is managed carefully, he has maintained a busy agenda.
Known for his dedication to work, King Charles is often described as a workaholic who tirelessly attends to official papers late into the night. Family members, including Queen Camilla, have frequently urged him to pace himself.
The king’s medical team is reportedly closely involved in managing his schedule, acknowledging that treatment reactions can be unpredictable.
The monarch’s health issues coincide with those of his daughter-in-law, Kate, 43, wife of Prince William, who also underwent cancer treatment. In January, Kate announced she is in remission and has gradually resumed royal duties.
