The good news? It seems that King Charles’ planned tour to Oceania will continue this fall—but, in some less great news (especially for those countries who were looking forward to seeing the King visit them), it seems the trip has been scaled back significantly in light of Charles’ cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Following a routine prostate procedure in late January, cancer was detected, and the King announced his diagnosis publicly on February 5, the same day he began receiving treatment. He returned to public duty on April 30, after about three months away.
According to The Daily Mail, the King and Queen Camilla were expected to visit Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji in October, but both the New Zealand and the Fiji legs of the Oceania tour will likely be dropped imminently as the King’s medical team orders Charles to pace himself as he continues his cancer recovery.
In addition to visiting Australia, the couple is also reportedly still expected to visit Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that same month.
“Officials first decided to drop Fiji and then New Zealand, because a trip like that is quite strenuous,” a source speaking to The Daily Mail said. “The tour will probably last around 10 days, covering Australia and Samoa.”
The tour is reportedly being referred to as “the autumn tour” by courtiers, and The Daily Mail writes that, while planning is still very much underway for it, it continues to be subject to medical advice and any “necessary modifications.”
