13 February 2024 , 11:42
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King Charles has big plans this year, despite his recent cancer diagnosis. The monarch announced the news of his health battle on 5 February and is now following a careful recovery plan.
Nevertheless, he still hopes to visit Australia with wife Queen Camilla in October.
The King has stepped back from official duties as he begins treatment - prompting speculation that he won't make the long-haul journey in eight months time.
But a palace source has said the King still hopes to complete the visit, which was confirmed by Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese in early January.
The insider told the Telegraph: "We continue planning, but we're not at any stage to confirm timing or dates because it's the first week of the King's treatment. It certainly remains the case that he's hopeful it will go ahead."
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Should Charles make the trip, it will be the first by a ruling monarch since his late mother in October 2011 - and Charles' first since his accession.
It's thought that the King is well enough to hold a limited number of face-to-face meetings, but he is spending most of his time recovering at Sandringham or Highgrove.
While he has postponed all public-facing duties, Charles is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers. And he is also expected to return to London regularly in order to hold his audience with the Prime Minister and receive further treatment and medical advice.
The King was also well enough on Sunday to walk to St Mary Magdalene Church on the estate for a Sunday service, .
In his first public statement to acknowledge the well-wishes of the nation, . His 107-word message reads: "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 organisations which support cancer patients and their families across the UK and wider world. My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience. Charles R."
His condition was discovered during surgery at the London Clinic for an enlarged prostate last month, which led to the discovery of a "form of cancer" described as a "separate issue". The King has begun "regular treatments", which started last Monday.
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