Tragedy: King Charles taken to hospital ‘after suffering side effects of cancer treatment’ as he pulls out of royal engagements…Read More

King Charles Taken to Hospital After Suffering Side Effects of Cancer Treatment, Cancels Royal Engagements.

London, March 27, 2025 – King Charles III, the 76-year-old monarch of the United Kingdom, was briefly hospitalized on Thursday morning after experiencing temporary side effects from his ongoing cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace confirmed.

The incident has prompted the cancellation of several scheduled royal engagements, including a planned visit to Birmingham on Friday, as the King prioritizes his recovery under medical advice.

A Brief Hospital Stay
Buckingham Palace released a statement detailing the situation: “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.”

The statement concluded with an apology from the King: “His Majesty would like to send his apologies to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.”

The King was admitted to the London Clinic, the same facility where he underwent a procedure for an enlarged prostate in January 2024, which subsequently led to his cancer diagnosis.

Palace sources emphasized that the side effects were temporary and not uncommon among cancer patients undergoing treatment.

The visit was described as precautionary, with the King traveling to and from the hospital by car rather than emergency services, signaling that the situation was not deemed an emergency. Queen Camilla did not accompany him during this brief stay.

By Thursday evening, King Charles had returned to Clarence House, his London residence, where he was reported to be in good spirits, continuing to work on state papers and making calls from his study.

Royal sources described the incident as a “minor bump in a road that is very much heading in the right direction,” underscoring the overall positive trajectory of his recovery.

Cancelled Engagements and Disappointment
The King’s hospitalization has necessitated adjustments to his busy schedule.

On Thursday afternoon, he was due to receive credentials from the ambassadors of three nations at Buckingham Palace, engagements that were postponed.

More significantly, a full day of public duties in Birmingham on Friday was canceled.

The Birmingham itinerary included visits to the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Oratory of St Philip Neri, the newly opened Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, and the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha Gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship.

A Palace spokesperson noted that the King was “greatly disappointed” to miss these events and extended his “deepest apologies to all those who had worked so hard to make the planned visit possible.”

Despite the cancellations, the Palace remains optimistic about rescheduling these engagements in the near future.

Looking ahead, a planned state visit to Italy in early April, alongside Queen Camilla, is still expected to proceed as scheduled, though adjustments may be made based on medical guidance closer to the date.

The King’s Cancer Journey
King Charles’s health challenges began in January 2024, when he sought treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.

During that procedure at the London Clinic, a separate issue was identified, leading to a diagnosis of an undisclosed form of cancer in February 2024.

Buckingham Palace has not specified the type of cancer, though it has clarified it is not prostate cancer.

The King commenced regular treatment shortly after and took a temporary step back from public duties to focus on his health.

By April 2024, Charles resumed public-facing duties, beginning with a symbolic visit to a cancer treatment center in London alongside Queen Camilla.

Since then, he has maintained a robust schedule, including state visits to Australia and Samoa in October 2024, demonstrating his commitment to his role despite his ongoing treatment.

In December 2024, Palace sources reported that his treatment was “moving in a positive direction,” though it remains a “managed condition” requiring continued care into 2025.

Throughout his journey, the King has been open about his diagnosis, a decision intended to raise awareness and encourage others to seek medical checks.

During a recent visit to Ulster University’s Coleraine campus in Northern Ireland earlier this month, he offered advice to cancer patients, urging them to “keep b****ring on” despite the challenges of treatment side effects—a sentiment that reflects his own approach.

A Workaholic Monarch
Known for his dedication to duty, King Charles has continued to fulfill his constitutional responsibilities as head of state, including reviewing government papers and holding weekly audiences with the Prime Minister, even amidst his health struggles.

His determination was evident just two days prior to his hospitalization, when he spent over an hour presenting honors at Buckingham Palace, engaging in conversations with recipients, including royal commentator Alastair Bruce.

Royal correspondent Cameron Walker of GB News remarked, “He gets a lot out of his work. He’s known to be a workaholic,” highlighting the King’s frustration at having to pause his engagements.

The fact that neither Prince William nor Queen Camilla canceled their own scheduled duties on Thursday—William in Aberdeen and Camilla elsewhere—further suggests that the Palace did not view the situation as an immediate cause for alarm.

Public and Royal Response
The news of the King’s hospital visit has elicited concern among royal watchers and the public, though the Palace’s reassuring tone has tempered fears.

The lack of major changes to his upcoming diary, including the anticipated Italian state visit, reinforces the narrative of cautious optimism.

Medical experts note that side effects from cancer treatments, such as fatigue, nausea, or temporary immune responses, are common and manageable, aligning with the Palace’s description of the incident.

As King Charles continues his treatment, the royal family remains under scrutiny, with both he and the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, having faced cancer diagnoses in 2024.

Kate completed her chemotherapy in September 2024 and has gradually returned to public life, offering a parallel of resilience within the family.

Looking Ahead
While the King’s treatment cycle extends into the new year, his commitment to his duties remains unwavering.

Decisions about participation in upcoming high-profile events, such as Trooping the Colour or D-Day commemorations later in 2025, will be made closer to the time based on medical advice.

For now, the focus is on recovery and recalibration, with the Palace and the public alike hoping for his swift return to full strength.

King Charles’s latest health update serves as a reminder of the human challenges behind the crown, yet his resolve to “push on” continues to define his reign.

As he rests at Clarence House, the nation watches with bated breath, wishing their monarch well on his ongoing journey.