King Charles III will reportedly 'pause' his cancer treatment for 11 days as he embarks on his royal Australian tour next week. The 75-year-old monarch has been undergoing weekly treatment since his cancer diagnosis in February 2024. Buckingham Palace has not disclosed the specific type of cancer or the treatment regimen, though it is known that he underwent prostate surgery. According to the Daily Mail, doctors have advised the king to take a break from treatment for the duration of the tour.
King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla and a traveling physician, is scheduled to depart for the tour on October 18. The itinerary includes visits to Sydney and Canberra, followed by a trip to Samoa, where the king will attend his first Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM). The original plan included a stop in New Zealand, but that leg was canceled over the summer.
Upon his return from the tour, the monarch will resume his cancer treatment and continue his duties from his private residence in Birkhall, Scotland. On October 3, King Charles hosted a reception at St. James Palace in the UK, celebrating the Commonwealth Diaspora ahead of the CHOGM. He appeared in high spirits, showcasing his dance moves and receiving an impromptu lesson from former Samoan professional rugby player Freddie Tuilagi. He was joined by his niece, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Duke of Kent for the special evening.
Despite concerns from his wife and advisors to slow down, sources report that the king 'feels energized' by his work and is committed to maintaining his usual routine. In June 2024, Queen Camilla remarked that His Majesty is 'doing fine except he won't slow down and won't do what he's told,' according to Sky News. The king's first public appearance since his diagnosis was a visit to the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Center in central London on April 30. Buckingham Palace also announced that Charles is the new royal patron of cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support.
Since then, he has attended several public events, including the 80th anniversary commemorative D-Day ceremony in France and the British memorial event at Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, organized by the British Royal Legion. In a related development, King Charles' daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, was diagnosed with an unspecified cancer in March 2024. In early September, the 42-year-old princess announced that she had completed chemotherapy and is now 'cancer-free.'
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the Princess of Wales expressed her relief at finishing her treatment and her focus on staying cancer-free. She also mentioned her anticipation of returning to work and engaging in public engagements in the coming months. Kate held an Early Years Meeting at Windsor Castle on September 17 and shared a heartfelt moment with a young cancer patient at Windsor Castle on October 2. Liz, a 16-year-old aspiring photographer from Harrogate, England, was diagnosed with cancer in January.
Kate and Prince William are parents to Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.
