The King’s doctors are allowing him to ‘pause’ his cancer treatment in order to fly to Australia for a high-profile royal visit next week.
The 75-year-old monarch will undertake a significant official visit beginning on October 18, taking in Sydney and Canberra, immediately followed by a State Visit to Samoa in the South Pacific where he will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The Mail understands that His Majesty will continue with his ongoing cancer treatment right up until he flies but that his doctors are happy for it to be briefly stopped while he is away.
The King will then pick up with his treatment cycle as soon as he returns to the UK.
Charles,75, was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of the disease in February following prostate surgery and has been receiving weekly treatment ever since.
King Charles will undertake a significant official visit to Australia beginning on October 18
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s official portrait for the forthcoming Australian tour in which he wears The Sovereign’s Badge of the Order of Australia and the Queen wears the Wattle Brooch given to Queen Elizabeth on her first visit as monarch in 1954
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall walk on Broadbeach in the Gold Coast, Australia in April 2018
However the news that the King intends to ‘squeeze in’ a 30,000 mile, 11-day door-to-door trip in-between treatments is both good news in terms of his health – and also emphasises the commitment to duty he has shown since he was first diagnosed.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
King and his wife, Queen Camilla, are embarking on a packed schedule with up to ten engagements a day between them during their royal visit – and have only one ‘down day’ of rest.
Sources stress, however, their programme has been organised in close consultation with his doctors and is ‘mindful’ of his health. Engagements have been organised to ‘prioritise’ his continued recovery.
His entourage will, as always, include a travelling doctor – standard practice for the head of state.
The long-awaited trip is hugely significant as it is his first visit to a Realm, of which he is head of state, since becoming King and his first CHOGM as Head of the Commonwealth.
The workaholic royal has been urged to slow down by both his wife and advisors, but sources say he feels ‘energised’ by his work – and it has been important for him mentally to keep to his usual routine at such a challenging time.
On Wednesday he hosted a reception at St James’ Palace to celebrate the Commonwealth Diaspora ahead of his CHOGM visit.
The official announcement of the tour on the royal family’s Instagram account
King Charles has been urged to slow down by both his wife and advisors, but sources say he feels ‘energised’ by his work
Meanwhile his wife, Queen Camilla, 77, (right) who has been praised for ‘holding the fort’ since the start of the year, is planning a pre-tour break this week with friends. (King Charles III looks up as he waits to read the King’s Speech in July this year)
He appeared on great form, even taking to the floor to show off his moves in a traditional Siva Samoa dance.
However in order to manage his recovery ahead of his visit Down Under, the King returned to Scotland immediately afterwards where he will largely remain until it is time to travel.
He will continue to work at Birkhall, his private home close to Balmoral, on state papers and hold pre-CHOGM calls with world leaders, returning to London briefly this week to hold Privy Council, meet with the Prime Minister and undertake medical appointments.
Meanwhile his wife, Queen Camilla, 77, who has been praised for ‘holding the fort’ since the start of the year, is planning a pre-tour break this week with friends, it can also be revealed. Details cannot be disclosed for security reasons.
A source explained: ‘The fortnight in the run up to the royal tour has been kept deliberately light for His Majesty. He will still be undertaking meetings, doing his paperwork and still come down for treatment.
‘Australia is a big deal and he wants to be fighting fit.
‘As soon as he returns he is also straight into a really intense programme all the way up to Christmas.
‘The late Queen would stay in Scotland into October and he’s decided to do the same. It’s a place of peace for him and that’s more imperative than usual this year because of what he has coming up.
‘For a workaholic [like him] it’s the chance to have a small breather.’
Other sources say His Majesty seems in ‘very good spirits’ personally. His treatment has gone far better than anyone anticipated.
In Scotland this summer Charles, who will turn 76 next month, has been revelling in the fresh air with long walks and mushroom foraging.
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