Royal excitement grows as King Charles and Queen Camilla prepare for visit to Australia

Australians will soon welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla, as the royal couple has confirmed their visit to the country later this year, marking the first time the royals have visited since the inauguration.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that the King and Queen will visit Canberra and New South Wales in October with the visit following Charles’ attendance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.

It will be the first trip to Australia by a reigning monarch since 2011, when Queen Elizabeth II travelled to Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and Perth.

King Charles, having visited Australia 15 times previously, last graced Australians with his presence in 2018 to open the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and explore parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said planning for the visit was well underway and he is looking forward to welcoming the royals to the country.

“I am honoured to welcome the King and Queen on their first royal visit to Australia later this year, they are always welcome visitors,” he said.

“The King has a deep regard for our great nation and has always spoken warmly of the time he has spent here and the astounding beauty of our extraordinary continent.

“I look forward to welcoming the King and Queen back to Australia for this important visit.”

News of King Charles’s visit to Australia comes as the Monarch continues treatment for cancer.

The news of the Monarch’s diagnosis sent shockwaves globally when, following his three night stay in hospital for a procedure on a benign enlarged prostate, a separate issue was identified.

The Palace later confirmed, through a statement, that subsequent tests revealed the presence of cancer, emphasising it’s unrelated to the previous prostate problem.

Despite his health challenges, King Charles has shown signs of improvement, recently returning to his public duties.His first official appearance saw him and Queen Camilla visiting the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, where they met with patients and medical specialists.

During his visit, the King spoke candidly about the “shock” of his cancer diagnosis, offering words of empathy and reassurance to fellow patients.

When asked about his health by one patient, King Charles replied with characteristic British understatement.

“I’m alright thank you very much, not too bad,” he said.

Reflecting on his diagnosis, the King shared, “It’s always a bit of a shock, isn’t it, when they tell you?”

His ability to connect with others facing similar challenges was evident as he comforted Lesley Woodbridge, 63, by sharing his own upcoming treatment schedule, saying, “I’ve got to have my treatment this afternoon as well.”

Despite the gravity of his situation, King Charles demonstrated warmth and optimism throughout the visit.

-with AAP.