King Charles III was hospitalized on Thursday after experiencing side effects from his ongoing cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
“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,” a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
The 76-year-old monarch has already returned to Clarence House, his London residence, but his schedule has been cleared for the remainder of the week.
“As a precautionary measure, acting on medical advice, tomorrow’s diary programme will also be rescheduled,” the palace statement continued. “His Majesty would like to send his apologies to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.”
The King was reportedly taken to the hospital by car, not by emergency vehicle. Queen Camilla reportedly did not accompany her husband to the hospital.
King Charles was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024 after undergoing a procedure for a benign enlarged prostate. At that time, Buckingham Palace announced that “subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.” The palace has not disclosed what specific type of cancer the King is battling.
The palace noted last year that the King was “grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention” and that “he remains wholly positive about his treatment.”
Despite his diagnosis, Charles has maintained many of his state duties, including reviewing government papers and meeting with the prime minister, though he did take some time away from public engagements during the initial phase of treatment.
Reports indicate that Charles briefly paused his cancer treatment in October 2024 for an 11-day royal visit to Australia with Queen Camilla.
Despite today’s hospitalization, palace sources told The Sun they expect the King’s planned state visit to Italy in April to proceed as scheduled.