Australia focus of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s first royal tour since cancer diagnosis

Australia will be one of just two destinations for King Charles’ first royal tour since being diagnosed with cancer, it has been announced.

The King will travel to Australia and Samoa in spring accompanied by his wife Queen Camilla, Buckingham Palace said.

Charles will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa and is also expected to visit Sydney and Canberra in October.

However, plans to extend the tour to New Zealand and Fiji have been scrapped amid the King’s ongoing cancer treatment.

It is not known if he will still be having treatment at the time of the trip after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of the disease in January.

The monarch, 75, has continued to work throughout. But doctors have advised that he should undertake a curtailed visit out of caution and that he should pace himself.

A spokesman said: “The King’s doctors have advised that such an extended programme should be avoided at this time to prioritise His Majesty’s continued recovery.

“In close consultation with the Australian and New Zealand prime ministers, and with due regard for the pressures of time and logistics, it has been agreed to limit the visit to Samoa and Australia only.”

The spokesman added: “Their Majesties send their warmest thanks and good wishes to all parties for their continued support and understanding.”

The same reason has been given for why there will be a shorter than planned visit to Australia with fewer public engagements. His spokesman said: “As with all His Majesty’s recent engagements, his programme in both countries will be subject to doctors’ advice and any necessary modifications on health grounds.”

It is considered remarkable that he is taking on such a lengthy and gruelling trip – a total of 50,000km – given his age and health crisis.

But apparently Charles is determined to meet his commitments with his first trip to Australia, where he is also head of state, since becoming King.

Sources in Australia say that health concerns mean he will not be undertaking all-day events and have time set aside for rest.

It is believed he will visit the New South Wales Parliament House and a major attraction such as the Sydney Opera House.

It is also believed that a formal reception in his honour will be hosted in the capital Canberra by prime minister Anthony Albanese.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa will bring together delegations from 56 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific.

The King followed his late mother as Head of the Commonwealth.

The theme of this year’s meeting is “One resilient future: Transforming our common wealth”.

In a statement Buckingham Palace said: “Their Majesties’ state visit to Samoa will celebrate the strong bilateral relationship between the Pacific Island nation and the UK.”

Further details of their programme will be announced in due course.