King Charles III’s ongoing battle with cancer has once again raised concerns after the 76-year-old monarch was briefly hospitalized due to side effects from his treatment.
Although Buckingham Palace downplayed the incident, calling it a “bump in the road,” it was serious enough for him to cancel all scheduled royal engagements the following day.
King Charles Critical Condition
Royal experts and commentators are now suggesting that the king reconsider his workload, emphasizing the toll that both his illness and rigorous schedule may be taking on him.
Queen Camilla has previously acknowledged that her husband struggles to slow down, a sentiment echoed by royal author Ingrid Seward.
“The trouble is, he’s been so conditioned to work that I don’t think he functions unless he’s working,” Seward shared with Newsweek.
According to her, the king finds it difficult to rest, despite the physical exhaustion caused by his ongoing treatment. She believes Camilla is likely encouraging him to take breaks, but Charles is simply not one to embrace idle time.
The challenge lies in balancing his responsibilities with his health.
Seward suggests that instead of stepping away entirely, Charles could focus on the more engaging aspects of his role and delegate the more tedious duties, such as ceremonial handshakes with diplomats.
“Cancer treatment makes you very, very tired,” she pointed out, adding that the daily grind of official engagements could be overwhelming for someone in his condition.
Despite the concerns, Charles made a determined return to public duties, attending an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle—the first official event since his hospitalization.
His presence signaled resilience, and Seward believes that while cancer has weakened him, his spirit remains unbroken.
“He’s always been driven and he’s strong. This cancer has weakened him but I think he’s fine.”
Looking ahead, Charles has a packed agenda. He is expected to participate in events marking the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence and will also be present at a charity event dedicated to aviation.
Additionally, he is set to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for their usual weekly audience.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace is working closely with the king’s medical team to ensure he can proceed with a planned visit to Italy next week.
The trip holds personal significance for Charles and Camilla, as it coincides with their 20th wedding anniversary on April 9.
While the king remains steadfast in his commitment to duty, his health remains a priority. The question remains: will he heed the advice of experts and scale back his responsibilities?