King Charles’ health took an unexpected turn this week, leading to a sudden hospital visit and resulting in adjustments to his schedule. Buckingham Palace addressed the situation late Thursday evening, shedding light on the circumstances behind the decision.
According to the palace’s statement at 9 p.m., the 75-year-old monarch visited the hospital on Thursday due to side effects from his ongoing cancer treatment. As a result, he postponed his scheduled engagements for Friday to focus on his recovery. He has since returned to Clarence House.
Discussions between the King’s medical team and palace staff delayed the announcement, as they debated whether his planned visit to Birmingham should proceed. Ultimately, they decided to postpone it in the interest of his health.
A royal insider reassured the public that the King’s “recovery path continues in a positive direction,” emphasizing that the hospital visit was “no drama.” Charles was treated at The London Clinic, the same facility where he underwent a procedure for an enlarged prostate in January 2024. He traveled to and from the hospital by car.
Prince Harry Was Not Notified
Reports from The Sun revealed that Prince Harry was not informed about his father’s hospital visit. The Palace opted not to alert Harry, who is currently 5,000 miles away, to avoid causing unnecessary worry.
King Charles’ Public Outing the Following Day
On Friday, March 28, 2025—just a day after his brief hospitalization—King Charles III, 76, made a public appearance, which quickly drew attention and sparked concern among onlookers.
People gathered in central London were met with an unusual sight: the King seated in the back of a sleek black Audi, his face partly visible through the slightly lowered window. It was his first appearance since his hospital stay, and those witnessing the moment couldn’t help but note its significance.
Though he remained composed, his expression reflected the weight of his ongoing health battle. The King appeared pale and somewhat gaunt, yet he still managed a modest wave through the window as he passed by well-wishers, many of whom raised their phones to capture the moment.
Footage of the brief outing showed a second vehicle closely following his car, likely as part of his security detail. Reports indicate that he was on his way to his country estate in western England.
Although Buckingham Palace confirmed the King had canceled engagements for Thursday afternoon and Friday on his doctors’ advice, his quiet appearance signaled his intention to remain visible to the public.
Ongoing Concerns Over His Health
While the Palace characterized his hospital stay as routine and tied to temporary side effects of his cancer treatment, his latest appearance served as a sobering reminder of his ongoing health struggles.
King Charles III, now 76, has been undergoing cancer treatment for over a year. Although his condition briefly faded from public discourse after his return to royal duties last spring, Friday’s sighting renewed concern over his well-being.
Despite his health challenges, Charles has remained dedicated to his constitutional responsibilities, continuing to review state papers and hold regular meetings with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. His commitment to duty has remained steadfast, from official engagements to solemn ceremonies—and even through the window of a moving car.
Social Media Reactions
The King’s brief public outing prompted an outpouring of reactions online. Many social media users expressed concern over his frail appearance, while others offered words of encouragement.
One commenter observed, “King Charles does look quite unwell overall, so hopefully this break will benefit him. 👑🙏” Another supporter shared, “Bless him. Let’s hope he goes somewhere where he can get some proper rest […] 🙏🙏 #GodSaveTheKing #LongLiveTheKing.”
“My prayers to King Charles to recover soon with how you are feeling! 🙏🏻💙 Thinking of you! ❤️” wrote another well-wisher, while someone else encouraged, “Hope he is ok—rest and recover [sic].”
Some netizens noted that Charles had looked unwell for some time, with his latest appearance confirming their fears. Others speculated whether he would be well enough to attend upcoming events, including Easter celebrations. On the other hand, one optimistic royal fan commented, “Long live the King’s resilience!”
Witnesses Share Their Reactions
Those who saw the King in person described a mix of relief and concern.
Julian Mati, a 34-year-old tourist, recounted, “We were horrified when we heard the news yesterday. We had come down to the palace today to take pictures but never imagined we would see the King. To see him smiling and waving—it’s such a relief.”
From heartfelt prayers to quiet concern, the public’s response underscores the deep connection many still feel to the monarch and how closely they are following his health journey.
