King Charles III was forced to cancel his engagements for the remainder of Thursday and Friday due to temporary side effects from his ongoing cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace confirmed.
The 76-year-old monarch underwent scheduled treatment for cancer on Thursday morning and experienced “temporary side effects” that required a brief period of observation in the hospital.
As a result, his afternoon appointments were postponed, and his Friday schedule was also rescheduled as a precautionary measure, following medical advice.
The palace statement assured the public that King Charles had since returned to his residence at Clarence House, where he was in good spirits.
He continued working on state papers and making calls from his study, according to the PA news agency. Sources reported to the BBC that the side effects were minor and part of his recovery process.
This health update marks another public revelation of the King’s ongoing treatment, which he first made known in February 2024.
However, details on the specific type of cancer he is battling have not been disclosed, though the palace confirmed that treatment would continue into 2025.
Buckingham Palace also conveyed the King’s apologies to those whose engagements had been affected by the changes, including a meeting with ambassadors from three countries and planned engagements in Birmingham on Friday.
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King Charles ascended to the throne in September 2022 after the passing of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
His coronation in May 2023 marked a historic moment as the first British coronation in seven decades. It also saw his wife of nearly 20 years, Camilla, crowned Queen, a milestone in their remarkable relationship.
Despite the health setback, the couple’s scheduled trip to Italy in early April is expected to proceed as planned, though a planned meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican has been postponed.
The meeting was initially scheduled for the beginning of their Italian visit but was delayed after the Pope’s doctors advised against it.
Pope Francis, 88, was recently discharged from the hospital after recovering from severe pneumonia. King Charles had written to the pontiff in February, expressing concern for his health during his hospitalization.
