King Charles III spent a short time in hospital on Thursday due to temporary side effects from his ongoing cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace has announced.
The 76-year-old monarch returned to Clarence House, where he continues to work on state matters. However, on medical advice, he has cancelled his scheduled visit to Birmingham on Friday, which was set to include four public engagements.
A Buckingham Palace Spokesperson said, “Tomorrow, he was due to undertake four public engagements in Birmingham and is greatly disappointed to be missing them on this occasion.
“He very much hopes that they 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.”
Despite this setback, palace sources have described the hospital visit as “a most minor bump in a road that is very much heading in the right direction,” emphasising that the King’s treatment remains on course.
Queen Camilla did not accompany the King to hospital, instead attending a reception in Wembley, north London, on Thursday. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer extended his best wishes to the monarch.
The King, who was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, has maintained a busy schedule in recent weeks, including a trip to Northern Ireland and high-profile diplomatic engagements. His planned state visit to Italy in April is still expected to go ahead with some adjustments.
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