King Charles III and Queen Camilla to visit Australia, Samoa in October
King Charles and Queen Camilla have booked their tickets to Australia, months after His Majesty’s ongoing cancer battle nearly canned the trip.
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be heading to Australia in October, marking the first time a reigning monarch has visited since the late Queen Elizabeth’s trip in 2011.
The Royal Visit will include a trip to NSW and the Australian Capital Territory, as well as Samoa where Their Majesties will attend the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
King Charles’ visit to Australia will be a short one, and a Palace spokesman said the tour won’t include a visit to New Zealand on the advice of the King’s doctor, after he was diagnosed with cancer in January.
“The King’s doctors have advised that a further extension to Their Majesties’ trip should be avoided at this time, to prioritise His Majesty’s continued recovery,” the spokesman said.
“As with all His Majesty’s recent engagements, his program in both countries will be subject to doctors’ advice, and any necessary modifications on health grounds.
“The King’s doctors have advised that such an extended program 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 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.”
In March, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Buckingham Palace was planning on committing to a Royal visit later in 2024 after the possible itinerary was put on hold after news His Majesty was diagnosed with cancer in January.
King Charles had undergone a procedure for an enlarged prostate when Buckingham Palace announced His Majesty required treatment for an undisclosed cancer.
“The King, Queen and members of the royal family are always welcome in Australia,” Mr Albanese said in March.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was “very pleased” King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit would include NSW.
“He’s no stranger to Australia, he’s been here many times before but never obviously as the King, and I’ve got no doubt that Sydneysiders, people from NSW will turn out and warmly welcome the King,” he told reporters on Monday.
“It’s very pleasing he’s chosen this great state to visit.”
This will be King Charles’ first official visit as reigning monarch but not his first time to the sandy shores of Australia.
His most recent trip was in 2018, when he visited with Camilla to open the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
It marked his 15 official visits as the Prince of Wales.
To mark the historic occasion of the 2024 Royal Tour, new portraits of the pair have been issued to commemorate their visit to Australia.
Their Majesties were photographed wearing their Australian decorations and insignia.
Meanwhile, the state visit to Samoa will coincide with the CHOGM, which brings together delegations from 56 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific.
Originally published as King Charles III and Queen Camilla to visit Australia, Samoa in October
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