King Charles III has announced plans to visit Australia and Samoa next month on a trip that will span a dozen time zones and test the monarch’s stamina as he recovers from cancer treatment. The Oct. 18-26 tour, outlined by Buckingham Palace, marks a significant moment for the 75-year-old king as he slowly returns to public duties following his cancer diagnosis in early February.
The decision to undertake such a long journey is seen as a positive sign of his recovery. The tour will commence in Australia before the king and Queen Camilla travel to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, a biennial event. This trip, first announced in July, will be the first time since Charles ascended the throne that he will visit one of the Commonwealth realms, where the monarch remains the head of state.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed interest in holding a referendum on breaking ties with the monarchy and declaring Australia a republic. However, these plans were delayed after Australians rejected a referendum proposal last year. Charles will also visit Samoa as the head of the Commonwealth, an association of 56 independent nations with historical ties to the U.K.
The palace stated, “The king’s visit to Australia will be his majesty’s first to a realm as monarch, whilst the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa is the first the King will attend as head of the Commonwealth. In both countries, their Majesties’ engagements will focus on themes celebrating the best of Australia and Samoa, as well as reflecting aspects of the king and queen’s work.”
