Britain's monarch faces a setback in his ongoing battle against cancer as medical complications arise.
According to the Daily Mail, King Charles III was admitted to the hospital after experiencing temporary side effects from his cancer treatment, forcing him to cancel several planned engagements in Birmingham.
The 76-year-old monarch underwent a scheduled medical appointment on March 27, 2025, which resulted in a brief hospitalization for observation. Palace sources described the incident as a "minor bump" in what has otherwise been a positive recovery journey. The King has since returned to Clarence House, where he continues his work duties.
King Charles was forced to cancel multiple engagements, including meetings with ambassadors from three nations and four public appearances in Birmingham. The monarch expressed deep disappointment about missing these commitments and hopes to reschedule them in the near future.
The Palace maintains there is "no drama" surrounding the brief hospital visit, describing it as a routine part of his treatment program. Sources familiar with such medical procedures noted that temporary side effects are not uncommon in cancer treatments.
Before this medical setback, the King had maintained an active schedule, participating in two lengthy engagements on Wednesday, including an exhibition on soil at Somerset House and a reception at Buckingham Palace for 400 regional media members.
The Queen has recently expressed personal frustration over her husband's reluctance to reduce his workload. Despite undergoing cancer treatment, King Charles has shown determination to fulfill his royal duties.
Buckingham Palace spokesperson shared the following statement:
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 Palace's communication strategy has emphasized transparency while maintaining medical privacy, never revealing the specific type of cancer affecting the King beyond clarifying it was unrelated to his prostate surgery in January 2024.
The monarch's upcoming state visit to Italy, scheduled to begin on April 7, is expected to proceed as planned. However, medical advisors may recommend adjustments to his schedule in preparation for the journey.
Since his diagnosis, King Charles has demonstrated remarkable resilience, undertaking both public and private engagements. He even completed a demanding two-week tour of Australia and Samoa last autumn.
Palace sources indicate that participating in public duties has positively impacted the King's overall well-being. Charles reportedly feels grateful for the support and encouragement received from thousands of well-wishers during his appearances.
King Charles III was hospitalized on March 27, 2025, due to side effects from his ongoing cancer treatment, leading to the postponement of several royal engagements in Birmingham. The monarch returned to Clarence House the same day, where he continues to work on state papers and maintain communication with officials. While the Palace describes this as a minor setback in his recovery journey, the incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the 76-year-old monarch as he balances his treatment with royal duties.
