- King Charles III hospitalized briefly due to treatment side effects
- Birmingham visit postponed but hopes to reschedule
- Health outlook positive, resuming normal schedule soon
King Charles III was briefly hospitalized on Thursday due to temporary side effects from his ongoing cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace confirmed.
After his hospital stay, the King returned to Clarence House, where he continued working on state papers and making calls from his study. However, following medical advice, he canceled his planned tour of Birmingham on Friday, which was to include four events.
The palace first revealed the King’s cancer diagnosis in February 2024. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace mentioned that the King’s meetings with three ambassadors on Thursday had also been affected.
A statement from the palace expressed the King’s disappointment in missing his engagements in Birmingham and reiterated his hope to reschedule them in the future. The King also extended his deepest apologies to those who had worked hard to organize the visit.
A palace insider described the situation as a “minor bump in the road” that does not derail the overall positive outlook for the King’s health. The palace has not disclosed specific details about the side effects he experienced.
Queen Camilla, meanwhile, attended a reception in Wembley, north London, and did not accompany the King during his brief hospital stay.
Following the announcement, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed well-wishes for the King.
The palace’s message remains reassuring, portraying the postponement of the Birmingham visit as a temporary setback amidst an otherwise optimistic health situation for the King. It was noted that the King was driven to the London Clinic hospital in a car, not an ambulance, and the late announcement of the postponement reflected a decision to handle the situation transparently rather than letting it become a larger issue.
Although the King’s cancer treatment continues, he has remained active in public life. Recent engagements included a trip to Northern Ireland, launching a playlist of favorite music, and attending the Commonwealth Day service, which he missed the previous year due to his diagnosis. In addition, the King has been involved in global diplomacy, including hosting President Donald Trump for a second state visit and showing support for Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky after his meeting with Trump.
Despite health concerns, the King’s energy and involvement in international affairs have not appeared to wane. The earlier postponement of his visit to the Vatican was due to Pope Francis’s health, not the King’s. The rest of his Italian visit is still scheduled to proceed with some changes to the program.
While acknowledging that future health issues cannot be ruled out, Buckingham Palace has emphasized that the King is expected to return to his regular schedule next week. His planned state visit to Italy in April is also set to continue with some adjustments to the itinerary.
The palace has not disclosed the specific type of cancer the King has been diagnosed with, but he resumed public duties last April after a period of treatment and recovery.
