King Charles is set to return to public engagements after he was hospitalised over side effects from his cancer treatment.
The monarch, 76, enjoyed a ‘restful’ weekend at Highgrove and is back to a relatively normal working week following his hospitalisation last week, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
After enjoying a beautiful spring weekend at his beloved Gloucestershire estate, His Majesty is returning to Windsor Castle today to pick up duties again, which include a ‘regular mix of public engagements, State duties and private meetings’.
Last Thursday, Charles underwent observation in hospital after suffering from side effects as a result of his ongoing cancer treatment.
He was later released and went home to Clarence House but was forced to cancel three meetings that day and a further four public engagements in Birmingham on Friday, sparking further fears for his health.
Although family members, including his wife, Queen Camilla, have urged him to slow down, Charles is said to be feeling well and keen to get back to work.
Sources have insisted last week’s hospitalisation at The London Clinic was a ‘minor bump’ in his positive road to recovery after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in January last year.
His treatment will continue for the foreseeable future, it is understood.
The King is preparing for a usual working week which includes public engagements following his short stay in hospital
Although family members, including his wife, Queen Camilla , have urged him to slow down, Charles is said to be feeling well and keen to get back to work
King Charles III speaking to guests during a reception at Buckingham Palace on March 26
Charles will now undertake an investiture at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, a mix of official duties and meetings at Buckingham Palace, including his weekly audience with the Prime Minister on Wednesday, meeting three new ambassadors on Thursday and undertaking engagements in London and Windsor towards the end of the week.
He will also be preparing for next week’s busy state visit to Italy with his wife on Friday.
One or two additional appointments for this week have been ‘rescheduled’ to ensure an appropriate balance ahead of a busy programme abroad, sources confirmed.
But they insisted that otherwise changes were minimal.
Charles was spotted leaving Clarence House on Friday, where he appeared to be in good spirits, smiling and waving at well-wishers from a black Audi.
Large crowds including members of the public and photographers watched as Charles was driven out of his London residence at around 10.30am on Friday.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement last Thursday: ‘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.’
The palace added: ‘His Majesty has now returned to Clarence House and as a precautionary measure, acting on medical advice, tomorrow’s (Friday’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’.
Charles was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February 2024 and returned to public-facing duties in April despite still undergoing weekly treatment.
He has had a busy run of engagements this month, including a reception for media on Wednesday evening after a visit to a soil exhibition in the day, and is due to make a historic state visit to Italy in 10 days’ time.
It is understood the overseas tour with the Queen from April 7 to 10, which will see Charles become the first British sovereign to address both houses of the Italian parliament, is expected to go ahead as planned.
Earlier this month, the King made a whirlwind three-day visit to Northern Ireland with Camilla, and earlier in March hosted high-profile audiences with key political figures including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, outgoing Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and new Canadian PM Mark Carney.
Charles, who is known for being a workaholic, is said to have thrived on carrying out public and state duties in recent months, seeing them as being of great benefit to his overall wellbeing.
His long-haul visit to Australia and Samoa last Autumn was described at the time as the ‘perfect tonic’ for the monarch.
Since his diagnosis last year, the King’s diary of engagements is understood to have been developed in full consultation with his medical team at all stages to protect and prioritise his recovery.
Sources stressed the hospital visit was not a major development and no further updates are expected on the King’s health, with any minor alterations to his diary that may be required next week being announced in due course.
