King Charles cancels trip after being hospitalised during cancer treatment

Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom issued a statement saying that King Charles had to be admitted to the hospital for treatment due to the side effects of ongoing cancer treatment, and was forced to cancel his scheduled public events.

The statement from Buckingham Palace pointed out that the 76-year-old King "needed a short period of observation in hospital" on Thursday morning, UK time. The King has returned to Clarence House, but plans to travel to Birmingham for a series of public events on Friday have been cancelled.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), King Charles had originally planned to visit the Birmingham Royal Ballet, unveil a new hospital, and visit a church and a Sikh temple. Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "He was originally scheduled to undertake four public engagements in Birmingham tomorrow and is very sorry to have to postpone his visit." The statement also said that the King "is very much looking forward to rearranging his visit at the earliest opportunity and offers his sincere apologies to all those who were working so hard to make it a success."

Buckingham Palace said this week that the King's state visit to Italy is still scheduled to begin on April 7, but some adjustments will be made to the itinerary. The palace did not elaborate on the specific side effects the King is experiencing, nor has it revealed what type of cancer the King has. The King's cancer was discovered in January 2024 while he was undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.

King Charles previously suspended public engagements until April of last year in order to undergo treatment and rest, but he continued to perform national duties, such as reviewing government documents and meeting with the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales, Catherine, has also been diagnosed with cancer.