The royal family has faced several challenges in recent months, with cancer affecting both King Charles and Princess Kate. Updates on their health have sometimes been slow to emerge.
For King Charles, it began in early February when it was announced that he had been diagnosed with an unspecified type of cancer. He stepped away from his royal duties, with plans to return after completing treatment in late April.
While his recovery seemed to be going well, Queen Camilla worked hard to ensure he didn’t return to his duties too soon. However, it won’t be long before they embark on an overseas tour to Australia and Samoa.
The news of King Charles’ diagnosis broke on February 5, when Buckingham Palace issued a statement. The memo read: “The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”
“His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.”
A few days after the initial announcement, King Charles expressed his deep gratitude for the outpouring of support and well-wishes he had received.
He said: “I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days.”
“As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.”
“It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organizations which support cancer patients and their families across the UK and wider world.”
King Charles has recently resumed his royal duties. After his cancer diagnosis was made public, both the king and queen have made appearances together, including an event hosted by the king at Buckingham Palace where he met with New Zealand’s women’s rugby union team.
Since February, updates on his cancer diagnosis have been limited. However, during the Buckingham Palace event, King Charles briefly addressed his health, sharing that he would be unable to travel to the country during the upcoming tour as per his doctor’s advice.
“I am extremely sorry I can’t come to New Zealand in later October because of doctor’s orders. But I hope there will be another excuse before too long.”
“But in the meantime, give my love to New Zealand, please, and New Zealanders, we get lots of nice Kiwi coming here in this part of the world as well, so we are very lucky indeed.”
He added: “And I hope you make the most of your time in the team because you don’t stay young for very long, as I discovered, it all goes quicker than you think.”
The upcoming trip to Samoa and Australia will mark King Charles’ first overseas tour as monarch. Buckingham Palace has shared some details about the visit.
“Their Majesties, The King and Queen, will undertake an Autumn tour from Friday 18th to Saturday 26th October 2024,” a Palace spokesperson shared. “This will include a royal visit to Australia, State Visit to the Independent State of Samoa and attendance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024.”
“The King, who has this year been receiving treatment for cancer, will meet Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scoyler, both Australians of the Year, and will hear about the work they do to help those affected by melanoma, one of Australia’s most common cancers.”
There will be noticeable differences in this trip compared to Queen Elizabeth II’s visits to Australia, with some “clear adaptations” made for the king’s tour.
According to a royal expert: “The late Queen Elizabeth visited every state of Australia, every territory including seven capital cities and 70 towns in 58 days, In contrast, the King is going to be spending, we understand, less than a week in Australia and he’s only going to be visiting Sydney and Canberra.”
“As we knew, doctors had given the King the green light to travel. It is going to be the first long-haul travel the King has done since his cancer diagnosis. But it’s very clear from the information I’ve received this afternoon that adaptions have been made. For example, New Zealand originally was on the agenda for the King and Queen to travel to – that has now been ruled out on doctor’s advice.”
“Because he’s been mindful that he’s undergoing cancer treatments, he’s also going to be spending some time at an engagement to do with melanoma and cancer treatment.”
