The King’s doctors are allowing him to “pause” his cancer treatment to fly to Australia for a high-profile royal visit next week.
The 75-year-old monarch will make a major official visit from October 18, visiting Sydney and Canberra, followed immediately by a state visit to Samoa in the South Pacific, where he will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM ).
The Mail understands that Her Majesty will continue her cancer treatment until she flies, but that her doctors are happy for it to be paused briefly while he is away.
The King will continue his course of treatment as soon as he returns to the UK.
Charles, 75, was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of the disease in February after prostate surgery and has been receiving weekly treatment since.
King Charles will make an important official visit to Australia from October 18
Official portrait of King Charles and Queen Camilla for the upcoming tour of Australia in which he wears the Insignia of the Sovereign of the Order of Australia and the Queen wears the Wattle Brooch given to Queen Elizabeth on her first visit as monarch in 1954.
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, walk along Broadbeach on the Gold Coast, Australia, in April 2018.
However, the news that the King intends to make a 30,000-mile, 11-day door-to-door journey between treatments is good news in terms of his health and also emphasizes the commitment to duty he has shown since then. . was diagnosed for the first time.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
The king and his wife, Queen Camilla, embark on a busy schedule with up to ten daily engagements between them during their royal visit, with only one “day off” to rest.
Sources stress, however, that his program has been organized in close consultation with his doctors and is “conscious” of his health. Commitments have been organized to “prioritize” their continued recovery.
His entourage will include, as always, a traveling doctor, common practice for the Head of State.
The long-awaited trip is hugely significant as it is his first visit to a Kingdom, of which he is head of state, since becoming King and his first CHOGM as Head of the Commonwealth.
Both his wife and advisors have urged the workaholic to slow down, but sources say he feels “energized” by his job, and it’s been important for him mentally to maintain his usual routine during such a difficult time.
He hosted a reception at St James’s Palace on Wednesday to celebrate the Commonwealth diaspora ahead of his visit to CHOGM.
The official announcement of the tour on the royal family’s Instagram account.
Both his wife and advisers have urged King Charles to slow down, but sources say he feels “energized” by his work.
Meanwhile, his wife Queen Camilla, 77 (right), who has been praised for “holding down the fort” since the start of the year, is planning a pre-tour getaway this week with friends. (King Charles III looks up as he waits to read the king’s speech in July this year)
He appeared in great shape, even hitting the floor to show off his moves in a traditional Siva Samoan dance.
However, to manage his recovery before his visit to Australia, the King returned to Scotland immediately afterwards, where he will largely remain until it is time to travel.
He will continue to work at Birkhall, his private home near Balmoral, on state documents and hold pre-CHOGM calls with world leaders, returning briefly to London this week to hold the Privy Council, meet the Prime Minister and make medical appointments.
Meanwhile, his wife Queen Camilla, 77, who has been praised for “holding down the fort” since the start of the year, is planning a pre-tour getaway this week with friends, it can also be revealed. Details cannot be revealed for security reasons.
A source explained: ‘The fortnight leading up to the royal tour has been kept deliberately light for Her Majesty. You will continue to hold meetings, do your paperwork, and continue to come for treatment.
‘Australia is important and he wants to be fit to fight.
‘As soon as he returns he will be faced directly with a very intense schedule until Christmas.
“The late queen was due to stay in Scotland until October and he has decided to do the same. It is a place of peace for him and that is more imperative than usual this year because of what lies ahead.
“For a workaholic (like him), it’s a chance to take a little break.”
Other sources say that Her Majesty appears to be personally “in very good spirits.” His treatment has gone much better than anyone expected.
In Scotland this summer, Charles, who turns 76 next month, has been enjoying the fresh air with long walks and mushroom hunting.