King Charles hospitalised after side effects from cancer treatment

London: King Charles was hospitalised in London after experiencing side effects from ongoing cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace has announced.

In a statement issued on Friday morning, it was confirmed the 76-year-old monarch had cancelled public events because of a short period of observation at the London Clinic, the same hospital where he had treatment for an enlarged prostate in January last year.

King Charles was hospitalised in London after experiencing side effects from ongoing cancer treatment.Credit: Getty Images

The King had planned to travel to Birmingham for a busy schedule of engagements on Friday, which included a tour of the city’s Royal Ballet.

“His Majesty has now returned to Clarence House and as a precautionary measure, acting on medical advice, tomorrow’s diary program will also be rescheduled,” the statement said.

“His Majesty would like to send his apologies to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.”

A palace spokesperson said meetings with three ambassadors on Thursday were also affected, and he was “greatly disappointed” to be missing his appointments in Birmingham.

Queen Camilla, who was at a public event to mark the 70th anniversary of commercial broadcaster ITV, did not join the King on his hospital visit.

Charles has undergone regular treatment since February last year, but has not revealed what type of cancer he has, other than confirming it is not prostate cancer. Further details of his condition have not been disclosed.

When announcing the diagnosis, the palace asked for privacy and only confirmed it was a “form of cancer”. He was diagnosed after a “separate issue of concern was noted” and investigated while he was being treated for a benign prostate condition.

He returned to public duties last April after a period of treatment and recuperation.

Palace aides told several UK media outlets it was a “most minor bump in a road” and the King was continuing to work on state papers and make calls from his study at his London residence.

A scheduled trip to Italy next month is still planned. Charles is expected to meet the country’s president and prime minister and become the first UK monarch to address both houses of the Italian parliament.

A meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican was postponed by “mutual agreement”, according to a statement released by the palace on Tuesday. The 88-year-old pontiff was only recently discharged from hospital in Rome after being admitted with breathing difficulties in February.

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