King Charles will visit Australia and Samoa in October but will miss out New Zealand due to cancer treatment
THE King and Queen will visit Australia and Samoa but miss out New Zealand this October, says Buckingham Palace.
Doctors advised against extending the tour owing to his cancer treatment.
The royal pair will begin with a tour of Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales.
Next they will celebrate the “strong bilateral relationship” with Samoa, and attend the Commonwealth heads of government meeting there.
Buckingham Palace said: “In close consultation with the Australian and New Zealand prime ministers, and with due regard for the pressures of time and logistics, it has therefore been agreed to limit the visit to Samoa and Australia only.
“Their Majesties send their warmest thanks and good wishes to all parties for their continued support and understanding.”
Further details of the visit to both countries are to be announced soon.
Charles, 75, returned to public-facing duties earlier this year while still receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
Earlier this year, the King revealed the “shock” he felt over his diagnosis.
The monarch swapped stories and held hands with patients as he visited a cancer treatment centre with the Queen, 76.
When asked about his health battle and recovery, His Majesty said it was a “bit of a shock” to be given his cancer diagnosis.
“Not too bad. It’s always a bit of a shock, isn’t it, when they tell you?” He said.
When asked about his own cancer treatment he said: “I’m alright, thank you.”
The King also sympathised with one cancer patient as she received her chemotherapy with many others in a day unit, telling Lesley Woodbridge, 63: “I’ve got to have my treatment this afternoon as well.”
Timeline of King Charles' health battle
A look at King Charles cancer diagnosis and recovery.
January 17: Buckingham Palace announces the King has been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate
January 26: The Sun exclusively photograph the King arriving at The London Clinic for his ‘corrective procedure’
January 29: Seen waving and smiling as he left hospital after an extra night
February 5: Palace reveal while in hospital for his prostate operation doctors discovered the the King has a form of cancer
February 10: King issues ‘heartfelt thanks’ in a written statement
February 21: King tells Rishi Sunak he had been “reduced to tears” by get-well cards
March 21: The Princess of Wales and the King have lunch at Windsor Castle
March 22: Kate announces via video statement that she is being treated for cancer
March 31: King attends Easter Sunday service and takes part in ‘walkabout’ with members of the public and aides say ‘it was a significant step’ as King had ‘responded to treatment very encouragingly’
April 4: The Sun exclusively reveals King has ordered aides to ‘supercharge’ his diary for the summer and is ‘raring to go’
April 10: King and Queen embark on break at Birkhall, in Scottish Highlands
April 26: Buckingham Palace announce King will return to public-facing front-line duties
April 30: King marks his public comeback by visiting a cancer hospital with the Queen
Future:
May 8 and 21: Buckingham Palace Garden Parties
May 21 – 25: Chelsea Flower Show
June 6: 80th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France and UK
June 15: Trooping the Colour birthday parade in London
June 17: Garter Day parade at Windsor Castle
June 18 – 22: Royal Ascot
Late June: State Visit by Emperor and Empress of Japan
July 3: Holyrood Week in Scotland
October: Two or three-week tour of Australia