King Charles and Queen Camilla to embark on international royal visit to Australia and Samoa

In a significant royal announcement, Buckingham Palace revealed that King Charles III and Queen Camilla are set to embark on a tour to Australia and Samoa in October. This visit will mark King Charles' first international royal trip since disclosing his cancer diagnosis earlier this year. The royal couple's itinerary will include engagements in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, as well as a visit to Samoa to celebrate the strong bilateral relationship between the Pacific Island nation and the UK. The decision to limit the visit to Samoa and Australia was made in consultation with the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers, taking into account time constraints and logistical considerations. This scaled-back tour comes as King Charles continues his treatment for cancer, with his doctors advising against further extensions to prioritize his recovery. The royal couple had originally planned to include New Zealand in their itinerary, but this has now been excluded from the tour. King Charles, aged 75, had taken a break from public duties following his cancer diagnosis but was given the green light to resume engagements in April. The palace spokesperson emphasized that the royal couple's program during the tour will be subject to doctors' advice and may be modified based on health grounds. The upcoming visit to Australia will be a key test of King Charles' popularity as head of state, particularly in a nation that has long debated the relevance of a long-distance monarch. As preparations for the tour progress, additional details about the royal couple's engagements and schedule are expected to be announced in due course. The visit to Australia and Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2024 underscores the ongoing ties between the Commonwealth nations and the UK, while also highlighting King Charles' commitment to fulfilling his royal duties despite health challenges.