Britain’s King Charles III was compelled to cancel his appointments for Thursday afternoon and Friday after experiencing side effects from his ongoing cancer treatment, according to Buckingham Palace.
The palace issued a statement explaining that after receiving scheduled medical treatment earlier in the day, the king suffered temporary side effects that necessitated a brief period of observation in the hospital. Consequently, his afternoon engagements were postponed. The 76-year-old monarch later returned to Clarence House, where he is recovering.
As a precaution, and on medical advice, Friday’s engagements have also been rescheduled.
Sources reported to the BBC that the side effects were mild and common, describing it as a minor setback in the king’s recovery. It was further noted that the king was in good spirits at home, continuing his work on state papers and making calls from his study.
King Charles, who ascended to the throne after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022, publicly disclosed his cancer diagnosis in February 2024. However, the specific type of cancer has not been revealed, and the palace has only confirmed that treatment will continue into 2025.
Apologies for the Inconvenience
The palace conveyed that King Charles wishes to apologize to those who may be disappointed by the schedule changes. On Thursday, he was scheduled to receive credentials from three ambassadors, and on Friday, he had a series of engagements planned during a trip to Birmingham.
King Charles’s coronation in May 2023 marked a historic moment, not only as the first British coronation in seven decades but also with the crowning of his wife, Queen Camilla, a significant change after the dissolution of his marriage to Princess Diana.
Despite his health challenges, it is expected that King Charles and Queen Camilla will proceed with their planned trip to Italy in early April. However, the previously scheduled meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican has been postponed following the advice of the pope’s doctors. The meeting had been planned for the start of the April trip.
Pope Francis, who had been seriously ill with pneumonia, was discharged from the hospital earlier this month after nearly 40 days of treatment.
Returning to Work
Following his diagnosis, King Charles resumed his duties within two and a half months, gradually increasing his engagements throughout 2024, including international trips to places like Australia and Samoa. His daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, also recently revealed that she is in remission after a cancer diagnosis in 2024.
In February 2024, the palace stated that King Charles wanted to be open about his diagnosis to help combat speculation and raise awareness for others affected by cancer.
His transparent approach aligns with his broader goal of modernizing the monarchy to stay relevant in today’s society, particularly as republican sentiments grow in some of the 14 Commonwealth countries where he is also king. However, his relationship with his youngest son, Prince Harry, has been strained, with Harry’s memoir and Netflix series causing a stir in the media.
As head of the Church of England and the Commonwealth, King Charles continues to play a significant role in global affairs.
