The King may have to downscale his plans for his overseas visit to Australia, a royal source has claimed.
King Charles, 75, accompanied by the Queen, 76, is expected to travel to Australia just before or after the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, which is being held in late October 2024.
According to The Mirror, the King’s hopes to visit New Zealand along the way have been pushed aside as he continues to recover from his cancer diagnosis.
A source told the outlet: “Naturally, it will be a bitter disappointment on both sides to not have the opportunity for the King and Queen to visit New Zealand, but of course, all are aware of the King’s ongoing health and the need for him to pace himself.
“It’s very much hoped there will be further opportunities in the future.”
The visit has not been formally confirmed by Buckingham Palace, according to a source within Australia’s Labor government.
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However, they added: “It’s very possible it will happen.”
It would be the royal couple’s first visit to Australia since 2018.
During that tour, Charles and Camilla opened the Commonwealth Games on the Queensland Gold Coast.
According to royal commentators, a royal tour could indicate how much Republican sentiment has grown in Australia.
The King was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of the year
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The most recent opinion poll, held just after Queen Elizabeth II’s death, suggested 46 per cent of Australians favoured a republic.
Meanwhile, 54 per cent preferred the current system of Government.
So far during King Charles III’s reign, he has visited Germany, France, and Kenya on official royal tours.
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Australia would mark the King and Queen’s fourth overseas visit of their reign.
The King has slowly begun to return to his royal duties since his cancer diagnosis.
Recently the Queen said that King Charles, 75, is “doing fine except he won’t slow down and won’t do what he’s told.”