King Charles was temporarily admitted to hospital on Thursday after experiencing side effects from his ongoing cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace has confirmed. The monarch, who has been receiving weekly treatment since his diagnosis in February last year, was taken to The London Clinic in Marylebone for observation but was discharged later the same day.
A palace aide described the incident as “a minor bump in the road” and stressed that the King’s treatment remains “very much headed in the right direction”. The King was forced to cancel his afternoon engagements and a planned visit to Birmingham on Friday, where he was due to undertake four public appearances. He is said to be “greatly disappointed” to miss the events, which officials hope to reschedule.
Royal sources said the Queen did not accompany the King during his brief hospital stay. The specific side effects have not been disclosed, but they were described as temporary and not uncommon with many medical treatments. The King returned to Clarence House on Thursday evening, where he is “in good form” and continuing to work on state papers and make calls from his study.
Buckingham Palace said it envisages the planned state visit to Italy, beginning on April 7, will still go ahead as scheduled. The trip had already been reorganised after Pope Francis, whom the royals were due to meet at the Vatican, was discharged from hospital on Saturday following treatment for double pneumonia.
The King returned to full-time public duties last April but has maintained a reduced schedule in line with his weekly treatment. He has undertaken major engagements including a tour of Australia and Samoa with the Queen in October. A royal source said the King is “determined” to return to duties as soon as possible, adding: “He will want to get back on the horse as soon as possible.”
