King Charles Could Still Be Traveling to Australia This Year

Posted by Tamela Phillippe on Saturday, March 9, 2024

Despite his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, King Charles continues to work and fulfill his royal duties (mostly from home, but he's made the occasional in-person appearance). Now, it seems like the king (who has seemingly remained optimistic through his recent health scare) could be jetting off to Australia at some point this year.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a recent statement that he and his country are “preparing for a possible visit from His Majesty The King to Australia later this year," per a local ABC news outlet.

"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," said Albanese. "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."

People notes that before his illness, the king was expected to be traveling for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October. In January, a spokesperson for the Australian government told The Australian newspaper that "the Prime Minister enjoys a warm relationship with the King and looks forward to welcoming His Majesty to Australia later this year," according to The Telegraph. Charles's potential visit would mark his first royal trip as king.

Buckingham Palace announced Charles's cancer diagnosis with a statement on Feb. 5, saying that the king would "postpone public-facing duties." Since the announcement, however, Charles has been spotted attending Sunday church service with his wife, Queen Camilla, on numerous occasions, and he met with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in February.

Getty Images

For other events, however, Charles has recruited his royal family members to step in on his behalf. His son Prince William held an investiture ceremony at Windsor Palace on Feb. 7, where he handed out medals that honored individuals who displayed "outstanding achievement, personal bravery, or services to the U.K.," per the royal family's website.

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