03 March 2024 , 13:11
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The King is set to visit Australia later this year under plans being made by the Australian government.
Australian States and Territories will this week begin a consultation about the royal tour Down Under. The major development today, announced by the country’s government, is a positive indication of the monarch’s prognosis after he was diagnosed with cancer last month.
Buckingham Palace has not confirmed plans, but royal sources confirmed any trip would include the Queen. Sources say the visit would take place in October to coincide with a visit to New Zealand, where Charles is also sovereign, and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will be held in Samoa, in October 2024.
Charles is the current head of the Commonwealth after being voted in to succeed his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, when he acceded the throne. The role is not hereditary, but the Queen in 2018 used the CHOGM gathering in London to say it was her “sincere wish” to be succeeded by her son.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “Australia is preparing for a possible visit from His Majesty The King to Australia later this year. The King has shown his compassion for Australians affected by recent natural disasters, just as Australians have shown compassion and support for the King following his cancer diagnosis.
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Buckingham Palace has not confirmed plans, but royal sources confirmed any trip would include the Queen (Getty Images)“The King, Queen and members of the Royal Family are always welcome in Australia. My Government is engaging with States and Territories on options for a possible Royal visit.”
Should the King visit Australia this year, it will be his first royal visit as sovereign and the first by a British monarch since 2011. Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, toured Australia from April 2022, while Queen Elizabeth was still monarch.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also enjoyed a rapturous reception across Australia and New Zealand during a tour of Australasia in 2018. Charles, 75, is currently undergoing weekly treatment for a “form of cancer” after being diagnosed with the disease following a hospital stay in January for an enlarged prostate.
He has been continuing to recover at the weekends from the “less invasive” treatment at his country estates Sandringham and Highgrove, after his weekly visits to a London hospital. One source said: “The Australian government, along with Buckingham Palace, pressing ahead with the plans for later this year is a huge positive step. The King is keen to return to duties as soon as possible but is rightfully focussing on his recovery and rest as he undergoes treatment for cancer.”
The Mirror last week exclusively revealed how the King will release a video message to celebrate Commonwealth Day, where he will hail the spirit of togetherness throughout the 56 member states. Charles is set to miss the service at Westminster Abbey on March 11 as he has cancelled most public engagements throughout his treatment to minimise the risk of infection.
Charles is the current head of the commonwealth after being voted in to succeed his mother (Getty Images)Instead, as part of his wish to “remain to be seen” the monarch has recorded a special message which will be broadcast round the world to mark the event. The theme for this year’s annual meeting is “One Resilient Common Future”.
Royal tours of Australia by the British royal family have been taking place since 1867. Since then, there have been over 50 visits by a member of the royal family, though only six of those came before 1954.
Elizabeth II is the only reigning monarch of Australia to have set foot on Australian soil. She first did so on February 3, 1954, when she was 27 years old. During her 16 journeys, the Queen visited every Australian state and the two major territories, her last in 2011 when she visited Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth
As Prince of Wales, Charles has made 15 official visits to Australia, most recently in 2018 to open the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. During his last visit the King travelled to Queensland and the Northern Territory and has previously travelled to all Australian States and Territories. Buckingham Palace did not comment.