King Charles has a brief trip to the hospital today after experiencing side effects from his cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace announced at 9pm tonight. The Palace said that the King postponed his engagements on Friday to prioritise his recovery and is now back at Clarence House.

Thursday's late-night announcement was made at 9pm because his medical team was working with his staff to decide whether the Birmingham trip should go ahead. But the decision was made to postpone to safeguard the King’s recovery. A royal source said the King’s "recovery path continues in a positive direction" and insisted that the brief hospital admission was "no drama".

Charles visited the London Clinic, where he was treated for an enlarged prostate in January 2024, on Thursday morning, and travelled to and from the hospital by car.

It is understood 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.

The monarch was not by his wife, Queen Camilla, during his brief stay.

It is understood the side effects, of which specifics have not been disclosed, were temporary and not uncommon with many medical treatments.

The King is said to be on good form at home in Clarence House where is working on state papers and making calls from his study.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "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 rescheduled in due course and offers his deepest apologies to all those who had worked so hard to make the planned visit possible."

Meanwhile, the monarch is undertood to still be planning to go ahead with his historic state visit to Italy in 10 days.

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 week including a reception for media, a visit to a soil exhibition.