King of Australia’s royal tour nearly didn’t happen 9 hours ago Daniela Relph Senior Royal Correspondent King Charles III and Queen Camilla are due to arrive in Australia on Friday on a historic royal tour.
In February, Buckingham Palace announced the King had cancer and all his “public-facing duties” stopped – on doctors’ orders.
But palace aides never took this trip completely off the table – whenever it came up, their language was careful.
What is clear is the King’s treatment is ongoing and his cancer requires regular medical management.
But he is well enough for his doctors to sanction this trip, and while he is away his cancer treatment has been paused.
The royal tour of the King of Australia was almost cancelled.
Nine hours ago. .
Relph, Daniela.
Highest ranking Royal Correspondent.
On Friday, King Charles III and Queen Camilla are scheduled to begin their historic royal tour in Australia.
I never would have imagined writing those words eight months ago.
Buckingham Palace declared in February that the King had cancer and that, per medical advice, all of his “public-facing duties” had to end.
A trip to Australia seemed unthinkable at the time. For a 75-year-old who has been diagnosed with cancer and is starting treatment, a 24-hour flight, a punishing time difference, and days of royal engagements would undoubtedly be too much.
Palace aides, however, never entirely eliminated the possibility of this trip; instead, they used cautious language whenever it was brought up. “It hasn’t been ruled out,” they would say, or “the King needs to focus on cancer treatment first,” or “decisions will be made on the advice of doctors.”.
Additionally, there were indications by late spring that the visit might still proceed.
Speaking with the Foreign Office and the governments of Australia and New Zealand, a portion of the King’s team visited Australia and Samoa to determine what was feasible and to finalize plans.
The answer was yes, but with some significant modifications: would the King be healthy enough to handle the demands of the tour?
The schedule was changed to exclude New Zealand on medical advice. Although it was a “tough decision,” Buckingham Palace said the decision was made “in collaboration” with the governments of Australia and New Zealand.
Although royal aides have been transparent about the King’s diagnosis and course of treatment, they have never disclosed the specific type of cancer the King has or the specifics of the treatment he is receiving. They inform us that “his health is on a positive trajectory.”.
It is evident that King’s cancer necessitates constant medical attention and that his treatment is ongoing. However, he is sufficiently well for his doctors to approve this trip, and his cancer treatment has been put on hold while he is away.
By removing New Zealand and limiting the duration of this trip, he can resume his usual treatment regimen as soon as possible.
The King and Queen’s schedule of events also differs slightly from that of standard royal tours. They will be given a day to recuperate upon arrival before beginning engagements. They are both in their 70s, so it’s a long journey, and the day off is another indication of the King’s health.
In Australia and Samoa, evening engagements are not included in the schedules. There are no late-day excursions or state dinners. However, the next nine days will feature more of the King than we have seen for the majority of this year.
Much consideration has been given to “balancing the programme,” according to Buckingham Palace, and it has been designed to “preserve the King’s energies.”.
Charles is visiting one of the 14 realms in which he still serves as Head of State for the first time in his capacity as King. Additionally, it will be his first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), in which he leads the 56-nation association.
Although his cancer diagnosis has put the King’s reign in jeopardy, this trip gives the impression that he is back to business.
The King has had to follow the Queen’s instructions in addition to those of the doctors. His wife, who was supposed to accompany her husband on a number of engagements, has found herself traveling alone more this year than she may have expected.
Despite her husband’s cancer diagnosis, Queen Camilla, a powerful figure in the royal household, has made reference to his “workaholic” mentality on multiple occasions.
She has been crucial in making sure the King heeds medical advice and takes time off to recuperate while undergoing treatment. In addition, she will be taking on some of her own engagements regarding literacy and aiding victims of domestic violence while in Australia and Samoa.
Careful planning is necessary for royal tours. They follow a choreography and a checklist of events to attend, including parliaments, dignitaries, the military, the environment, and culture.
On paper, this trip’s Australian component is well-established and secure ground. However, it also differs greatly from earlier developments.
As a seventeen-year-old beginning two terms of teaching experience at a private school in Victoria, the King made his first trip to Australia in 1966. Near the end of a year in which he has encountered significant personal difficulties, he returns as a 75-year-old monarch undergoing cancer treatment.
His public life has been limited due to illness. As he advanced in his treatment, his schedule grew increasingly hectic, but he took a summer vacation and prepared for this journey by retreating to the comfort of Balmoral.
This year, people have asked me, “How’s the King doing?” a lot, and sometimes it’s been difficult to respond.
We will be able to watch the King at work every day for the next few days. King of Australia, a head of state, up close.
This tour is a major showcase for the monarchy, and monarchies are important to see, especially in a nation where the Australian republic has recently been a hot political topic. For Buckingham Palace, appearances are important.
The objective is for King to look good, interact with the public, oversee a full schedule of events, practice soft diplomacy, and make the most of Australia and Samoa.
It hasn’t been simple getting here. Royal officials are confident, however, that this visit will strongly suggest that regular operations will resume.
