When King Charles announced back in February that he has cancer, it meant that overseas travel was naturally off limits for a time. However, the British monarch’s doctors have since cleared him to carry out some overseas visits, and the Palace has now announced that he will travel to Australia and Samoa in the fall.
“Their Majesties The King and Queen will undertake an Autumn Tour in October 2024. This will include Royal Visits to Australia and Samoa, where Their Majesties will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement. “The King and Queen will visit Australia at the invitation of the Australian Government, where their programme will feature engagements in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales. Their Majesties’ State Visit to Samoa will celebrate the strong bilateral relationship between the Pacific Island nation and the U.K.”
Usually, the British royals carry out visits to Australia and New Zealand at the same time. King Charles is now head of state in both countries and has not visited either since coming to the throne in 2022. However, the Palace said yesterday that the King’s doctors have advised that an extended program should be avoided “to prioritise His Majesty’s continued recovery.” “In close consultation with the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers, and with due regard for the pressures of time and logistics, it has therefore been agreed to limit the visit to Samoa and Australia only. Their Majesties send their warmest thanks and good wishes to all parties for their continued support and understanding,” a spokesperson said.
As the King is head of state in Australia, Australian taxpayers will pay for the visit, which is likely to cost tens of thousands of dollars. The republican movement in Australia, which is calling for the country to have an Australian head of state, questioned that the public should pay. “Aussie taxpayers will be slugged with the costs right at the moment they are experiencing incredible cost of living challenges,” National Director and CEO Isaac Jeffrey said. In a statement, he described the royal visit was a “great opportunity for all Australians to ask themselves whether the British Royals really represent a modern Aussie democracy.”
New photographs of Charles and Camilla have been released to mark the visit, one showing them wearing Australian insignia (above) and another showing them in New Zealand insignia despite the fact they will not be traveling to New Zealand. They were take by Millie Pilkington this year.
Further information about the program for the visit will be announced closer to the time.
Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures, released in 2021.
