King Charles‘s historic state visit to Italy next month will likely go ahead as planned despite the monarch’s latest “brief” trip to the hospital today, it is understood. The King “required a short period of observation in hospital” after experiencing side effects from his cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday evening.

Charles has cancelled an away day to Birmingham on Friday to prioritise his recovery and is now back at Clarence House. Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “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”.

However, it is understood that health permitting, the King will join the Queen for their historic state visit to Italy in just 10 days’ time.

The royal couple are due to arrive in Rome on Monday, April 7, for an official welcome before undertaking engagements in the Vatican on Tuesday to celebrate the 2025 Jubilee.

Charles and Camilla will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary in Rome with a ceremonial welcome at the Palazzo Quirinale. The event will feature a special joint flypast over Rome by the Italian Air Force aerobatic team, ‘Frecce Tricolori,’ and the Red Arrows to symbolise the two countries’ close defence relationship.

Their special day will also include a visit to the city’s iconic Colosseum, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a visit to the Italian Parliament, and a black-tie state banquet.

It is understood the side effects King Charles had, 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.”

The King will become the first British monarch to address a joint session of the Italian Parliament, where he is expected to deliver a speech in both English and the country’s native language.

The final day of the four-day trip will conclude in Ravenna, northwest Italy, where the couple will view Dante’s tomb, the Byron museum and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia to view the impressive mosaics from the 5th and 6th centuries.

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 and a visit to a soil exhibition.

The King was due to meet ambassadors in audiences at Buckingham Palace on Thursday afternoon, but these were postponed.

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. He was not joined by Queen Camilla during his brief stay.