King Charles will temporarily halt his cancer treatment during his upcoming royal tour of Australia and Samoa, according to a new report.
The 75-year-old monarch, who is receiving weekly treatment, is set to embark on the long-distance trip alongside Queen Camilla from Friday, October 18, to Saturday, October 26.
The report revealed that King Charles’ medical team has approved a brief suspension of his ongoing treatment for the duration of the trip.
The King will resume his treatment cycle upon his return to the UK, continuing the therapy that has been part of his routine since February, following a cancer diagnosis announced by Buckingham Palace.
The royal couple’s tour marks their first official trip to Commonwealth nations since King Charles ascended to the throne. The sovereign was diagnosed with "a form of cancer" earlier this year, though palace officials clarified that it is not prostate cancer, despite initial concerns linked to treatment for an enlarged prostate.
King Charles postponed public engagements after his diagnosis but returned to forward-facing royal duties in April, with his first appearance at the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, where he spoke about the importance of early detection.
As the head of the Commonwealth, King Charles will attend the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. The palace confirmed that the tour’s itinerary had been carefully planned with input from his medical team, limiting engagements to Australia and Samoa to prioritize his health. A visit to New Zealand, which is traditionally part of such tours, was ruled out.
“The King’s doctors have advised that such an extended program should be avoided at this time,” a spokesperson stated. Despite the scaled-back schedule, King Charles has been preparing for the tour, including practicing Samoan dance moves at a recent Commonwealth Diaspora event.
The royal couple's engagements in Australia and Samoa will focus on celebrating the nations’ cultures and spotlighting key issues, while ensuring that the King's health remains a priority during the tour.
King Charles' health has been a subject of public interest since the announcement of his diagnosis. During an April visit to a cancer center, the King reportedly remarked, “It’s always a bit of a shock when they tell you,” while Queen Camilla reassured well-wishers in September that the King was “doing very well.”
The upcoming tour is an important moment for the King, but the priority remains his continued recovery.
