Buckingham Palace issues rare statement on King Charles' health following 'brief' hospital visit due to 'side effects' of treatment

King Charles has been forced to cancel several royal engagements after the monarch underwent a secret and "brief" visit to hospital.

The 76-year-old had been due to hold engagements on Thursday afternoon and to visit Birmingham on Friday, but he has now cancelled the trip in order to focus on his recovery following his cancer diagnosis last year. HELLO! understands that the King has returned to his London home of Clarence House and will be working from there.

HELLO! also understands that the King's recovery from his illness is progressing as expected and that incidents like this are expected.

A statement from Buckingham Palace read: "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."