King Charles III underwent a brief hospital visit on Thursday, March 27, due to temporary side effects related to his ongoing cancer treatment, resulting in a delay of several planned official activities, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace.
The 76-year-old monarch received scheduled cancer treatment on Thursday morning, which was followed by “a short period of observation in hospital” because of temporary side effects, according to palace officials. Officials stated that Charles has since returned to his residence at Clarence House in London, where he continues to work on state matters and make calls from his study.
The palace announcement detailed that all royal engagements planned for Thursday afternoon and Friday were postponed following medical advice. The king was scheduled to meet ambassadors from three nations on Thursday and attend four public events in Birmingham, England, on Friday.
A palace representative mentioned that Charles was “greatly disappointed” to miss the Birmingham visit and expressed his hope to reschedule these events. The official statement from Buckingham Palace read, “His majesty would like to send his apologies to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.”
Queen Camilla did not join the king during his brief hospital stay at the London Clinic, where he previously underwent a procedure for an enlarged prostate in January 2024. Instead, the queen attended a pre-arranged reception in Wembley, North London, on Thursday, as reported.
Palace sources conveyed reassurance, with one insider describing the incident as “a most minor bump in a road that is very much heading in the right direction.” The palace emphasized that there was no drama involved in the hospital visit, noting that Charles traveled to the London Clinic by car and not by ambulance. The announcement was made to provide transparency about what was characterized as a minor issue.
King Charles has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed cancer type since February 2024, when the palace first revealed his diagnosis. A source informed NBC News in December that Charles’ treatment is “moving in a positive direction,” describing the cancer as being in a “managed condition.” The treatment is expected to continue through 2025.
After his initial diagnosis, Charles stepped away from public duties for about three months to begin treatment. He resumed public appearances in April 2024, with his first official return being at a cancer treatment center, where he interacted with patients and medical staff, drawing from his own experiences.
Since returning to public duties, the king has maintained a busy agenda, involving international trips and various engagements. Last week, Charles traveled to Northern Ireland with Queen Camilla and met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this month. He was seen in public as recently as Wednesday, March 26, attending a reception at Buckingham Palace for media organizations and visiting an exhibition at Somerset House in London.
Despite Thursday’s setback, the palace has indicated that King Charles and Queen Camilla are still expected to visit Italy for a state engagement in April, although their planned visit to the Vatican has been postponed as Pope Francis recovers from illness.
The royal family has encountered several health issues over the past year. Charles’ daughter-in-law, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, was also diagnosed with cancer in early 2024. Following approximately ten months of treatment, she announced she was in remission and resumed public duties in late September.
While the palace has been transparent about the king’s cancer treatment, they have not disclosed the exact type of cancer. King Charles appears determined not to let his illness define him, continuing to fulfill his duties as sovereign while adjusting his schedule in consultation with his medical team.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s office released a brief statement following the news of the king’s hospital visit, stating the Prime Minister “wishes His Majesty the King all the very best.”
