King Charles has been taken to hospital after suffering side effects from his cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
The monarch, 76, is now back at Clarence House after he visited hospital on Thursday afternoon.
Buckingham Palace confirmed Charles experienced “temporary side effects” from his cancer treatment, and he has now pulled out of a string of engagements set for Friday.
The Sun UK quoted sources who said the trip was not unexpected and that his treatment is heading in the right direction.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “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.”
The King’s hospital dash to The London Clinic was due to side effects coming after a busy work schedule, it is understood.
While Buckingham Palace has said it will not comment on the side effects, they are understood to not be uncommon with cancer patients.
The King was at home at Clarence House on Thursday evening where he was said to be in good form and continuing to work on State Papers and making calls from his study.
He had been taken to hospital by car and not by emergency services, the palace said.
It also confirmed that Queen Camilla did not join the King at hospital.
A palace spokesman said: “His Majesty was due to receive Credentials from the Ambassadors of three different nations this afternoon.
“Tomorrow (Friday), 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.”
The King’s hospital visit meant he also postponed a number of audiences he had due to hold with ambassadors at Buckingham Palace on Thursday afternoon.
The palace say they are not anticipating major changes to the programme but may decide to reduce his engagements.
But they expect the State Visit to Italy in April to go ahead, and doctors will consult with staff to ensure a full recovery.
A source described it as a “most minor bump in a road” for Charles’ recovery, adding that he is “very much heading in the right direction”.
A spokeswoman for Sir Keir Starmer said the Prime Minister “wishes His Majesty the King all the very best” after his short period in hospital.
The King’s cancer journey began in January last year when he revealed he needed a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate.
Tests undertaken for this, at the same London clinic where Princess Kate was being treated at, revealed his cancer in February, although it has not yet been disclosed which form of the disease he has.
Earlier this month on a visit to Northern Ireland, he gave advice to cancer patients, telling them to “keep b****ring on.”
While at the Pharmacy and Pharmacology department at Ulster University, Coleraine campus, the King said to cancer patients: “What’s that Winston Churchill saying? Keep b****ring on.”
