As Australians get ready to welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla ahead of the pair’s high-profile tour of the country, a concerning update has emerged regarding the Monarch’s cancer treatment during this time.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the King is expected to pause his cancer treatment during the tour after royal doctors gave him the all-clear to briefly stop the weekly cycle of treatments in order to attend to his royal duties abroad. Charles will reportedly receive treatment up until his departure, and resume the outpatient appointments when he returns to the UK.
While reports of the King halting his treatment may be cause for alarm, Charles’ team has assured royal fans that the Monarch’s health will remain a top priority during the tour.
As reported by People magazine, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said they had to make some, “tough decisions with the Australian Government where the monarchs can get to.”
“We’ve had to, as you would with any visit, think about how you can ensure Their Majesties’ energies are preserved to be at their best,” they said.
It will be the first trip to Australia by a reigning monarch since 2011, when Charles’ mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II visited Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and Perth.
Charles and Camilla will arrive in Australia on October 18 and the trip will see them meet locals and enjoy produce at a community barbecue – in western Sydney.
They will also be officially welcomed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra, meet two Australian professors hailed for their pivotal research on melanoma skin cancer and review the Australian naval fleet in Sydney Harbour.
The tour program has been designed to give the King time to rest and recover from the many hours he will spend flying during his trip.
After the Australian leg, Charles will attend events in Samoa before gathering with world leaders for his first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) since he became Monarch and head of the Commonwealth.
Although anticipation is high for King Charles’ visit and measures have been put in place to ensure his well-being, royal commentator Jennie Bond has previously expressed concern for the Monarch, claiming that his visit will be “quite testing”.
“Charles is 75, he is not a young man by any means”, she told GB News.
“He has been on the world scene for decades. His shoulders are broad and his mind is attuned to everything going on around the world.
“He is making a great job of it. I just hope he can continue to do so and get through this treatment.”
Charles’ health concerns first came to light during a hospital stay related to benign prostate enlargement. Subsequent tests revealed the presence of cancer, prompting King Charles to embark on a regimen of regular treatments. While he has continued to handle state affairs and official paperwork, public-facing engagements were temporarily postponed on medical advice.
Despite concerns, Charles has consistently shown signs of improvement as he navigates his diagnosis and treatment.
With PA.