King Charles III Resumes Public Duties After Hospital Stay

King Charles III returned to his public engagements on Tuesday following a brief hospitalization last week due to side effects from his cancer treatment.

The 76-year-old monarch had postponed his appointments on Thursday and Friday after experiencing temporary symptoms, with Buckingham Palace describing his hospital visit as a “minor bump” in his ongoing medical treatment.

Charles’ first public appearance this week saw him in high spirits as he presented honours at Windsor Castle, where he awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) to world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson for her contributions to athletics.

Johnson-Thompson noted that the King seemed to be in great spirits, despite the lengthy ceremony, and expressed relief that he appeared fit and well. Similarly, Alan Titchmarsh, who was honoured with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), commended Charles for his “boundless energy.”

The King’s upcoming engagements include a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer later in the week, though a few appointments have been rescheduled ahead of his state visit to Italy with Queen Camilla next week.

Charles had revealed in February of the previous year that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He made a swift return to public duties, gradually resuming his royal functions throughout 2024, including overseas trips to destinations such as Australia and Samoa.

In a personal family update, just six weeks after Charles’s cancer announcement, it was revealed that his daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, had also been diagnosed with cancer but is now in remission after undergoing chemotherapy.