King Charles's cancer diagnosis and recovery timeline in full

Buckingham Palace announced late last night that King Charles was forced to cancel engagements after being admitted to hospital on Thursday for side effects from his planned cancer treatment. The monarch, 76, was admitted to the London Clinic during the afternoon and is now home at Clarence House.

As a precautionary measure, the monarch cancelled his planned away day in Birmingham on March 28, when he was due to conduct a busy schedule of engagements.

It is the latest update in the King's cancer treatment, which has been ongoing for over a year, after announcing he had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of the disease in February last year. Since then, news of the Monarch's recovery has been largely positive.

Express.co.uk has shared a timeline of the King's cancer journey so far..

January 17, 2024: King Charles to undergo surgery for enlarged prostate

Buckingham Palace revealed that the King would be receiving treatment for an 'enlarged prostate' on January 17, 2024.

"In common with thousands of men each year, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate," the statement from the palace read. The announcement came just 90 minutes after Kensington Palace revealed the Princess of Wales was in hospital following major abdominal surgery.

It was believed the monarch wanted to share his experience in the hope it would encourage others experiencing symptoms to seek medical advice. King Charles's condition was benign, and he was admitted to the London Clinic for a corrective procedure on January 26.

An NHS webpage offering advice on prostate enlargement saw more than 11 times the number of visitors following the monarch's diagnosis, highlighting awareness about the condition.

January 29, 2024: King discharged from The London Clinic

After spending three nights at the London Clinic, King Charles left the hospital on January 29. He was photographed smiling and leaving through the front doors with his wife, Queen Camilla.

"The King was this afternoon discharged from hospital following planned medical treatment and has rescheduled forthcoming public engagements to allow for a period of private recuperation. He would like to thank the medical team and all those involved in supporting his hospital visit, and is grateful for all the kind messages he has received in recent days," the Palace said in a statement.

February 9, 2024: Buckingham Palace announce King Charles has cancer

Just one week after King Charles was discharged from hospital, Buckingham Palace announced the King had been diagnosed with cancer and would be postponing public-facing royal duties.

It was understood that before the news was shared with the public, Charles personally told his family, including Prince Harry, Prince William and Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Prince Andrew.

"During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer," the Palace said in a statement.

"His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual."

The Palace noted that King Charles does not have prostate cancer, but they did not reveal what type of cancer he has.

February 10, 2024: King Charles shares a personal message of thanks

The King shared a personal message of thanks to the public after he was inundated with messages of support and good wishes following his diagnosis.

He wrote: "I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days. As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.

"It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organizations which support cancer patients and their families across the UK and wider world. My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience."

February 21, 2024: King Charles meets Rishi Sunak for first time since diagnosis

On February 21, the Palace released a photograph of the King's first face-to-face meeting with then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak since his diagnosis. The prime minister commented on how well the King looked.

Charles told Prime Minister Sunak, "I have had so many wonderful messages and cards. It’s reduced me to tears most of the time."

The King also shared online get-well cards that were sent to the Palace, and soon afterwards, a heartfelt video of him reading some cards was released.

March 31, 2024: King Charles makes first royal appearance since diagnosis

At the end of March, well-wishers emerged to see the King as he attended Easter Service at St George's Chapel in Windsor. Upon strict doctor's advice, King Charles and Queen Camilla were seated slightly apart from the rest of the royals

Arriving at St George's Chapel in the State Bentley, the monarch took his time to wave to the hundreds of well-wishers gathered, which was a clear sign that our dutiful monarch had been missing the public-facing side of his role.

It was the first royal appearance since the King started receiving treatment for cancer, signalled a "gentle" return to the public stage.

April 26, 2024: King Charles will return to public duties

In the first major health update since his cancer diagnosis in February, Buckingham Palace said the then 75-year-old "will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following recent cancer diagnosis".

The Palace added that his medical team is "very encouraged by the progress made so far" and remains "positive about the King’s continued recovery".

Later in April, the King and Queen met with cancer patients at the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in London on the first public engagement since his own diagnosis. Charles said it was a "bit of a shock" to have been given a cancer diagnosis, but said he wasn't doing "too bad".

June 15, 2024: King Charles celebrates Trooping the Colour 2024

In a joyful return to the public eye, King Charles attended his second Trooping the Colour as monarch.

The monarch broke tradition by attending the ceremony in a carriage rather than on horseback. Sat next to his strength-and-stay, Queen Camilla, the royal pair enjoyed the celebrations.

Wearing the tunic of the Guard of Honour Order, the Irish Guards, the monarch later saluted the soldiers as he watched the procession from a window.

His daughter-in-law, Princess Kate, made her first appearance of 2024 at Trooping amid her own shock cancer treatment. After Kensington Palace announced the Princess of Wales would be in attendance, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King is "delighted" she "is able to attend" and that he is "very much looking forward to all elements of the day."

October 18, 2024: King Charles pauses cancer treatment for royal tours

Ahead of his royal visit to Australia and Samoa, it was reported the King would pause his cancer treatment for 11 days.

"The Mail understands that His Majesty will continue with his ongoing cancer treatment right up until he flies but that his doctors are happy for it to be briefly stopped while he is away," the Daily Mail reported. "The King will then pick up with his treatment cycle as soon as he returns to the UK."

October 26, 2024: King Charles to resume normal schedule of royal tours

After his visit to Australia and Samoa ended, Buckingham Palace shared a promising update.

A Palace official said: "We’re now working on a pretty normal looking full overseas tour programme for next year, which is a high for us to end on, to know that we can be thinking in those terms."

They added that the King has "genuinely loved" the nine-day tour and “thrived" on the busy programme of engagements.

They added that it has lifted "his spirits, his mood and his recovery. In that sense, the tour - despite its demands - has been the perfect tonic.”

December 20, 2024: King Charles 'positive' about cancer recovery

Royal insiders revealed that a “positive” King Charles is gearing up for a return to full Royal duties next year after his gruelling cancer battle.

The monarch, 76, who joked that week about how he is ‘still alive,’ is energised to do his duty and travel the world promoting Britain.

He will continue undergoing treatment but Palace officials are optimistic that his prognosis is heading in a “very positive direction”.

A source said: “The intention is for the monarch to return to a full programme of public duties next year. Planning for the first half of the year involves an exciting mix of national and international events”.

December 25, 2024: King Charles thanks medics in Christmas speech

The King offered an emotional thank you to the "selfless" medics who supported him and his family throughout the year during his annual Christmas Day broadcast.

He said: "From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed.

"I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement."

March 27, 2025: King Charles is briefly admitted to hospital

The King was forced to cancel engagements in Birmingham after being admitted to hospital on Thursday amid his ongoing cancer treatment.

Buckingham Palace released 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 planned state visit to Italy at the start of April is still expected to go ahead. Charles and Camilla are due to arrive in Rome on Monday, April 7 and will conduct a busy four-day programme of engagements.