King Charles Seen for the First Time in Public After His Hospitalization – Photos

King Charles III, 76, made a public appearance on Friday, March 28, 2025, after he was briefly hospitalized the previous day (Thursday, March 27). His brief outing has prompted a flurry of comments from netizens, who are still concerned about the monarch.

Onlookers gathered in the heart of London were met with a rare sight on Friday morning — King Charles III seated in the back of a sleek black Audi, his face partially visible behind the slightly lowered window.

It marked his first public appearance since his hospitalization just one day earlier, and the quiet gravity of the moment wasn’t lost on those watching.

His expression, though composed, bore the weight of a man in the midst of a deeply personal health battle.

With a pale complexion and a somewhat gaunt appearance, the King offered a modest wave through the glass as he was driven past a crowd of well-wishers lining the sidewalk — many of whom raised their phones to capture the fleeting moment.

Footage from the brief procession showed a secondary vehicle in close pursuit, likely part of his motorcade, as King Charles III was reportedly en route to his country estate in western England.

While Buckingham Palace confirmed that his scheduled engagements for Thursday afternoon and Friday had been called off at the recommendation of his doctors, the King appeared determined to maintain a presence — however subtle — in the public eye.

Though his most recent hospital stay was brief and reportedly tied to “temporary side effects” from his cancer treatment, the outing served as a sober reminder: King Charles III is 76 years old and continuing treatment for a cancer diagnosis made over a year ago.

While the gravity of his condition may have faded from public discourse over time — especially following his brief return to duties last spring — Friday’s outing renewed the sense of concern and respect for the monarch’s ongoing resilience.

Charles has remained committed to his constitutional responsibilities, including reviewing state papers and holding regular meetings with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Even amid treatment, his devotion to duty has remained steady — a trait he has carried through solemn ceremonies, cross-continental trips, and now, through the windows of a moving vehicle.

While King Charles III’s brief appearance offered comfort to many royal watchers, it also ignited a wave of reactions online — social media platforms were flooded with messages of both concern and support. For many, the monarch’s frail appearance did not go unnoticed.

“Londoners heading out of London is always a good idea.😀👍 King Charles does look quite unwell overall so hopefully this break will benefit him. 👑🙏” observed one commenter.

Another spectator expressed similar hope, “Bless him. Let’s hope he goes somewhere where he can get some proper rest […] 🙏🙏 #GodSaveTheKing #LongLiveTheKing.”

“My prayers to King Charles to recover soon with how you are feeling! 🙏🏻💙 Thinking of you! ❤️” added a fellow supporter, while someone else simply encouraged, “Hope he is ok rest and recover [sic].”

In a broader chorus of observations, some people pointed out that Charles has not looked particularly well for some time, suggesting that his recent appearance only confirmed their ongoing concerns.

A few netizens expressed uncertainty about whether he would be well enough to attend upcoming events, with one person wondering aloud about his ability to join Easter celebrations. “Good news, he will be able to make Friday prayers!” cheered a fan, on the other hand.

Despite the unease surrounding his health, there were voices of optimism in the mix. One admirer rallied support for the sovereign’s strength, stating, “Long live the king’s resilience!”

Meanwhile, some reactions came from those who had witnessed the event in person. Tourist Julian Mati, 34, divulged, “We were horrified when we heard the news yesterday. We had come down to the palace today to take pictures but we never imagined we would see the King. To see him smiling and waving, it’s such a relief.”

From thoughtful prayers to pointed concern, the range of reactions highlights the emotional impact the monarch still has on the public — and just how closely his journey is being followed.

Such reactions to his appearance come after reports of his hospitalization at The London Clinic first circulated. At that time, Buckingham Palace confirmed that he returned to Clarence House and his now-canceled engagements for Thursday and today (Friday) were postponed.

A Palace spokesperson said, “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.”

Officials said it wasn’t an emergency, and the King went by car, not an ambulance. Sources reportedly described the episode as “a most minor bump in a road” and said his treatment is “very much heading in the right direction.” The Palace added that side effects like these are common.

Following medical advice, Charles postponed four public events in Birmingham and several diplomatic meetings, including a ceremony to receive credentials from ambassadors of three countries.

The King expressed regret over missing the scheduled engagements. “He very much hopes that they can be rescheduled in due course and offers his deepest apologies to all those who had worked so hard to make the planned visit possible,” the spokesperson added.

By Thursday evening, the King had reportedly returned to work, reviewing state papers and making official calls from his study at Clarence House. Queen Camilla did not accompany him to the hospital and remained at Clarence House. The Palace gave no further details about her schedule.

While some adjustments may be made to Charles’s upcoming engagements, the Palace still expects the State Visit to Italy in April to proceed as planned.

The hospital visit came shortly after senior members of the royal family gathered at Westminster Abbey for the annual Commonwealth Day service.

On March 10, during the ceremony, Charles was seen warmly greeting his eldest son, Prince William, with a kiss on the cheek. However, he did not share a similar exchange with Princess Catherine, prompting online speculation about the nature of their brief interaction.

A circulating clip captures the moment, showing Charles turning his back on Catherine after greeting William. Following his interaction with his father, William proceeded to greet Camilla while the King appeared to move on, standing in line without acknowledging his daughter-in-law.

However, Princess Catherine appeared unbothered by Charles’s actions. She maintained a warm smile and stood poised in line, ready for the start of the ceremony. Still, some viewers couldn’t help but notice the awkward exchange between Charles and Catherine, and they didn’t hold back their thoughts.

One person pointed out, “Honestly, Charles doesn’t look like he even cares much for Williams [sic] greeting. That whole little moment is kinda uncomfortable to watch.” Another was more direct, stating, “He totally ignored her.”

According to one netizen, this occurrence wasn’t an isolated incident. The netizen claimed, “This isn’t the first time he has snubbed Kate Middleton.”

Someone else concurred, focusing on the body language, “The kings [sic] has his back turned again.” And one shocked viewer wondered, “Did Charles not care to look at Catherine? Not even a blown kiss?”

However, not everyone was quick to judge as one individual speculated, “Maybe he is sicker than we are allowed to know and she did not want to give him her germs. Unless the king was getting kissed by all and sundry, i think this is an indication about how sick he really is [sic].”

One more fan pointed out that Charles not acknowledging Catherine may have been unintentional, as the greetings occurred when the royals were busy lining up for the cathedral procession.

Last year (2024), Catherine and Charles missed the Commonwealth Day service, a significant event in the royal calendar, after being diagnosed with cancer. This time, they were both in attendance.