The King has been forced to cancel a string of engagements after being admitted to hospital today over his ongoing cancer treatment.
The monarch, 76, was tonight back at Clarence House ‘working away as usual’, with sources describing it as a ‘most minor bump in a road that’s very much heading in the right direction’.
However in order to ‘protect and prioritise [his] continued very positive recovery’ he has ‘regretfully’ cancelled a string of engagements in Birmingham tomorrow.
Sources insisted there was ‘no drama’ and described the ‘brief’ trip to hospital this evening as being ‘connected to [his] treatment programme’.
But it is a concerning reminder that more than a year after announcing he had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, that the king is still undergoing treatment while undertaking a busy diary of public engagements.
A source added: ‘As many can vouch, such things are not unexpected with these kind of conditions.’
His Majesty has been able to undertake a full programme of public and State duties, and that position remains unaltered, sources stress.
But today’s side effects did necessitate a brief hospital visit and a few ‘adjustments’ to his immediate diary programme.
In a statement Buckingham Palace said: ‘Following scheduled and ongoing medical treatment for cancer this morning, The King experienced temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital.
‘His Majesty’s afternoon engagements were therefore postponed.
‘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.
‘His Majesty would like to send his apologies to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.’
The King has personally been keen to be as open as possible about his diagnosis, while retaining a sense of medical privacy and was keen to share the latest news in a ‘spirit of openness and transparency’.
No further details of the side effects have been given but they are understood to have been temporary and such issues are not uncommon with many medical treatments.
The King is at home in Clarence House this evening, where he is in ‘good form’, and is continuing to work on State papers and make calls from his study.
He was treated in the London Clinic that has cared for him previously and he travelled to and from the hospital by car in the usual way. The Queen did not join The King during his brief visit to hospital.
A spokesman said of the cancelled engagements: ‘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.”
Buckingham Palace have indicated there are unlikely to any further updates as it is ‘not a major development’ but will advise on any minor alterations to next week’s diary that may be required in due course.
It is understood the announcement was made so late in the day as the King required time to consult with his staff and medical team about whether tomorrow’s engagements should proceed.
As a precautionary measure, to protect His Majesty’s continued recovery, it was decided that on balance it would be wiser to postpone tomorrow’s engagements.
Charles has been carrying on with his duties despite facing a personally challenging 2024 in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer.
The King’s cancer diagnosis was announced in February and he has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of the disease as an outpatient.
He cancelled all face-to-face public duties but returned in April and has since travelled to France for D-Day commemorations, hosted incoming state visits for the Emperor of Japan and the Emir of Qatar, and undertaken a hectic tour to Australia and Samoa with the Queen, despite still undergoing outpatient cancer treatment.
Buckingham Palace have never revealed what cancer the king has – aside to say it was not connected with the prostate surgery he underwent in January which result in doctors discovering the disease – nor details of his treatment.
However it was previously revealed that it was caught at a very early stage.
It is understood that his treatment is ongoing and the recovery path continues ‘in a very positive direction’.
No major changes to his programme are anticipated but a decision may yet be taken to lighten limited elements of the full planned programme to protect and prioritise His Majesty’s continued recovery, acting on the advice his medical team, and in preparation for the State Visit to Italy in just over a week’s time.
Queen Camilla has spoken of her personal frustration that her adored husband will not slow down.
But sources say His Majesty’s diary programme is developed in ‘full consultation’ with his medical team at all stages to protect and prioritise his continued recovery.
They stress that the reaction of any patient to medical treatment can be unpredictable and it makes sense to make minor adjustments to plans as necessary.
They also believe undertaking public and State duties has been of great benefit to the King’s overall wellbeing and Charles is ‘deeply grateful’ for all the support, encouragement and kind words of the many thousands he has met while doing so.
King Charles’s cancer timeline
January 17, 2024: Buckingham Palace shares that the King is receiving treatment for an enlarged prostate after its discovery during a routine procedure
January 26, 2024: Charles is admitted to hospital and then discharged from the London clinic three days later
February 5, 2024: Buckingham Palace announces King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer during his procedure for an enlarged prostate.
February 6, 2024: Prince Harry flies 5,500 miles to be at his father’s side at Clarence House – for just 45 minutes – for the first time in 17 months.
February 7, 2024: Prince William thanks the nation for its ‘kind messages of support’ for his wife and father.
February 8, 2024: The Queen reassured well-wishers that King Charles was ‘doing extremely well under the circumstances’ as she made her first official engagement since the monarch’s cancer diagnosis was made public.
February 10, 2024: Charles shares his first personal message expressing his ‘most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days’
February 11, 2024: King attends service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate with his wife, Queen Camilla. He waved cheerfully to well-wishers.
February 21, 2024: The King met Rishi Sunak at Buckingham Palace as he made his first public remarks since his cancer diagnosis
March 11, 2024: King thanks people for their ‘wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes’ over his cancer diagnosis in a video address to mark Commonwealth Day
March 31, 2024: He attends Easter Services in Windsor, his first major public appearance since January
April 26, 2024: The King prepared to shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis
April 30, 2024: Charles carries out his first engagement since his diagnosis visiting a cancer centre with Queen Camilla.
June 15, 2024: Charles attends his second Trooping the Colour as monarch but rode in a carriage instead of on horseback due to his health
October 18, 2024: He pauses treatment during his 11-day royal tour of Australia and Samoa
October 28, 2024: The Palace said it is ‘now working on a pretty normal looking full overseas tour programme for next year’
November 9, 2024: Charles is joined by Princess of Wales at a Remembrance event at the Royal Albert Hall
December 25, 2024: King Charles offers ‘heartfelt thanks’ to health workers in his Christmas speech
January 27, 2025: Sandringham parkrun participants meet the King after running for cancer charity
March 10, 2025: The King is joined by Catherine, Princess of Wales at the annual Commonwealth Day service, after both were forced to cancel last year
March 27, 2025: The King is admitted to hospital after ‘experiencing temporary side effects’ following cancer treatment. He ‘required short period of observation in hospital’.
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