Just in: King Charles hospitalised amid his ongoing cancer battle

The King has been forced to cancel a string of engagements today after experiencing side-effects following his cancer treatment.  Charles, 76, had a ‘scheduled’ appointment today as part of his ongoing medical care.   But he suffered ‘temporary side-effects’ that required a short period of observation in hospital.  The King was tonight back at Clarence House ‘working away as usual’, with sources describing it as a ‘most minor bump in a road that’s very much heading in the right direction’.

In order to ‘protect and prioritise [his] continued very positive recovery’, he has ‘regretfully’ cancelled planned engagements in Birmingham tomorrow, they explained.  Sources insisted there was ‘no drama’ and described the ‘brief’ trip to hospital as being ‘connected to [his] treatment programme’.

But it is a concerning reminder that, more than a year after announcing he had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, the King is still undergoing treatment while undertaking a busy diary of public engagements.  A source added: ‘As many can vouch, such things are not unexpected with these kind of conditions.’

Buckingham Palace said tonight: ‘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.  ‘His Majesty would like to send his apologies to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.’

Buckingham Palace has never revealed what cancer the King has – other than to say it was not connected with the prostate surgery he underwent in January last year, which resulted in doctors discovering the disease – nor details of his treatment.  But the Mail has previously revealed that it was caught at a very early stage. It is understood that his treatment is ongoing and the recovery path continues ‘in a very positive direction’.

The King has been able to undertake a full programme of public and State duties, and that position remains unaltered, sources stress.  He was last seen in public on Wednesday, when he undertook two lengthy engagements, attending an exhibition on soil and meeting members of the farming community, followed by a large reception at Buckingham Palace for 400 members of the regional media.

He spent more than a hour on his feet, meeting and greeting his guests. Queen Camilla has spoken recently of her personal frustration that her husband will not slow down.  He has been keen to be as open as possible about his diagnosis, while retaining a sense of medical privacy, and was keen to share the latest news in a ‘spirit of openness and transparency’.  No further details of the side effects have been given, but sources stress such issues are  not uncommon with many medical treatments.

The King was said to be in ‘good form’ at home last night, and is continuing to work on State papers and make calls from his study.  He was treated in The London Clinic that has cared for him previously and he travelled to and from the hospital by car in the usual way.  The Queen did not join the King during his brief visit to hospital yesterday.

A spokesman said of the cancelled engagements: ‘His Majesty was due to receive Credentials from the Ambassadors of three different nations this afternoon.  ‘Tomorrow, he was due to undertake four public engagements in Birmingham and is greatly disappointed to be missing them on this occasion.  ‘He very much hopes that they can be rescheduled in due course and offers his deepest apologies to all those who had worked so hard to make the planned visit possible.’

No major changes to his programme are anticipated but a decision may yet be taken to lighten limited elements of the full planned schedule on the advice of his medical team, and in preparation for the royal couple’s State visit to Italy in just over a week’s time.  It is understood that visit beginning on April 7 will go ahead.  Charles has barely taken any time off over the last year, aside from the first few weeks following his diagnosis and resumed public duties, first privately and then in public, as soon as he possibly could.

Last autumn he even undertook a gruelling two-week foreign tour to Australia and Samoa.  Sources believe undertaking public and State duties has been of great benefit to the King’s overall wellbeing and Charles is ‘deeply grateful’ for all the support, encouragement and kind words of the many thousands he has met while doing so.  Buckingham Palace has indicated there are unlikely to be any further updates because what has happened is ‘not a major development’, but will advise on any minor alterations to next week’s diary that may be required in due course.