King cancels engagements after ‘temporary side effects’ from cancer treatment

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 this day in Birmingham which will have been meticulously planned.

That said, the palace is keen to stress he should be back to work as normal next week, and there’s 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 say this is 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.

Royal commentator Alastair Bruce told Sky News the King was on good form earlier this week.

Source : https://news.sky.com/story/king-cancels-engagements-after-experiencing-temporary-side-effects-from-cancer-treatment-13336941