King Charles experienced temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital, following scheduled and ongoing medical treatment for cancer.
“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,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Friday morning AEDT.
Charles is now back at the royal residence Clarence House, and has since cancelled a planned trip to Birmingham to prioritise his recovery.
He had been due to meet ambassadors in audiences at Buckingham Palace on Thursday (local time), but these were postponed after acting on medical advice.
Charles’ treatment continuing throughout 2025
The palace did not elaborate on the King’s side effects. The type of cancer he has been diagnosed with has also never been disclosed.
Charles was and returned to public-facing duties in April despite still undergoing weekly treatment.
Charles has had a busy run of engagements this week, including a reception for media and a visit to a soil exhibition. He is due to visit Italy in early April, and it’s understood this will still go ahead.
He experienced temporary and relatively common side effects, the BBC reported, quoting sources, adding that it had been a minor bump in his recovery.
Charles returned to work within two and a half months of his cancer diagnosis and gradually ramped up his duties during the rest of 2024, including making several foreign trips, including to Australia and Samoa.
Buckingham Palace previously said the king wished to be transparent about his cancer diagnosis to “prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer”.
