King Charles went into hospital on Thursday after experiencing “temporary side effects” as part of his continuing medical treatment for cancer, Buckingham Palace has said.
The monarch underwent scheduled treatment for cancer this morning, which required “a short period of observation in hospital”, according to a palace statement.
“His majesty’s afternoon engagements were therefore postponed,” a spokesperson said.
“His majesty has now returned to Clarence House and as a precautionary measure, acting on medical advice, tomorrow’s diary programme will also be rescheduled.”
The king sent his apologies to “all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed” as a result of his decision to postpone and reschedule his diary, the statement added.
A source described it as a “most minor bump in a road that is very much heading in the right direction”.
Charles was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February 2024 and returned to public-facing duties in April while still undergoing weekly treatment.
He has had a busy week of engagements this week, including a reception for media and a visit to a soil exhibition, and he is due to make a historic state visit to Italy in 10 days’ time.
The king had been due to meet ambassadors in audiences at Buckingham Palace on Thursday afternoon and to travel to Birmingham on Friday, but these were postponed.
The king visited the London Clinic, where he was treated for an enlarged prostate in January 2024, on Thursday morning, and travelled to and from the hospital by car.
He was not joined by the queen during his brief stay.
It is understood the side effects, the specifics of which have not been disclosed, were temporary and not uncommon with many medical treatments.
The king was said to be on good form at home in Clarence House, where he was working on state papers and making calls from his study.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “His majesty was due to receive credentials from the ambassadors of three different nations this afternoon.
“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 rescheduled in due course and offers his deepest apologies to all those who had worked so hard to make the planned visit possible.”
