King cancels engagements after 'temporary side effects' from cancer treatment
Sources describe the incident as a "most minor bump in the road" in cancer treatment that is otherwise progressing well.
Friday 28 March 2025 11:48, UK
The King has cancelled today's engagements due to "temporary side effects" from his cancer treatment.
Buckingham Palace said after "scheduled and ongoing medical treatment for cancer" on Thursday , the King "experienced temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital".
"His Majesty's afternoon engagements were therefore postponed," the statement added.
The palace said the 76-year-old was now back at Clarence House but "as a precautionary measure, acting on medical advice" Friday's diary programme would "also be rescheduled".
"His Majesty would like to send his apologies to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result," the palace said.
Sky's royal correspondent Laura Bundock said we are being "advised this isn't a major problem in terms of his ongoing recovery". A source also described it as a "most minor bump in a road that is very much heading in the right direction".
Announcement shows incident of some concern
This news was unexpected, even though we've known the King is still undergoing treatment for his cancer.
It is also unusual for the King to cancel engagements, especially a day in Birmingham which will have been meticulously planned.
That said, the palace was keen to stress he should be back to work as normal next week, and there was no sense this will have any effect on the upcoming state visit to Italy.
The King enjoys his work and won't be happy letting people down. Some have said his work is what has helped keep him going through his diagnosis.
Aides called it a "bump in the road" and that overall the King's progress is heading in the right direction.
But the fact they decided to make this announcement shows it was of some concern.
It is also a reminder he remains a cancer patient, and with that, facing all the uncertainty and unpredictability the disease can present.
The King revealed in February 2024 that he had been diagnosed with cancer and was beginning treatment.
He returned to public duties in April last year and sources suggested in December his treatment would continue in 2025 and was "moving in a positive direction".
Following the side effects on Thursday, the King had to postpone audiences with ambassadors in the afternoon and was due to visit Birmingham today.
The palace said he was "greatly disappointed" to have to miss the trip but it hopes it can be rescheduled.
The King and Queen are also set for a state visit to Italy in just over a week's time.
On Wednesday, the King had a typically busy day of activities. He was at London's Somerset House, where he unveiled a plaque, before hosting a reception at Buckingham Palace in the evening.
Last week, the royals also made a three-day visit to Northern Ireland.
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Royal commentator Alastair Bruce told Sky News the King was on good form earlier this week.
"Literally two days ago I was standing in front of him when he invested me with some insignia that I received in the New Year's Honours and I had a fantastic conversation with him," he said.
"He was standing there for about an hour and a half, handing out honours and awards. He is maintaining as best he can all the challenges and tasks his role requires."