LONDON — King Charles III is preparing to visit Australia and Samoa in October, an itinerary that will span 12 time zones and test the monarch’s stamina as recovering from cancer treatment.
The trip, announced Sunday by Buckingham Palace, marks a defining moment for the 75-year-old king, who has gradually become return to public functions after taking time off following his cancer diagnosis in early February. The decision to undertake such a long trip will be seen as a sign of recovery for Charles, although the program in Australia will be “limited”.
The visit to Australia will be a critical moment for the king as he tries to rally support for the monarchy at home and abroad. The trip will mark the first time since ascending the throne that Charles will visit one of the 14 countries outside the United Kingdom where the British monarch still head of statea bond that is a source of pride for some but an unwanted reminder of British colonial rule for others.
While he will no doubt be greeted by flag-waving, “God Save the King”-chanting fanatics, Charles is also likely to hear anti-monarchist voices in a country where 45% of voters in a 1999 referendum supported creating a republic. Australian. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party supports removing the monarchy, but the government says it is not a priority and there is “no timetable” for another referendum.
“It’s clear that there is a real reassessment going on about whether the Commonwealth, and certainly the kingdoms, want to retain their connection to the British monarchy or not,” said Ed Owens, historian and author of “After Elizabeth: Can It Be Saved?” the monarchy?” he told The Associated Press in an interview before the trip was announced. “So, you know, rough waters ahead.”
The palace provided few details of the tour. Charles and Queen Camilla will visit the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, as well as making a more formal state visit to Samoa, where the king will appear at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the palace said.
The capital territory is home to Canberra, the national capital of Australia. Sydney, Australia’s largest city, is located in New South Wales.
Charles holds the symbolic title of head of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 independent nations, most of which have historical ties to Britain. The annual meeting of heads of government will be held from October 21 to 25.
However, the trip will not include a stopover in New Zealand.
“The King’s doctors have advised that a further extension of Their Majesties’ trip should be avoided at this time, to prioritize Her Majesty’s continued recovery,” the palace said in a statement.
The trip comes as the health problems of Charles and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have highlighted the challenges facing a reduced royal family as the king pledges to cut costs.
With fewer royals available to carry out the endless round of ribbon cuttings, awards ceremonies and state events that make up the life of a modern royal, the remaining members of the family have been forced to take on more events.
Charles’ cancer diagnosis came at the same time that the Princess of Wales, one of the most popular royals, underwent abdominal surgery and then announced she also had cancer. Prince William took some time off to support his wife and his young family.
That left Queen Camilla, the king’s sister Princess Anne, and his younger brother Prince Edward to shoulder the burden. Princess Anne was briefly hospitalized last month after an accident believed to involve a horse left her with a concussion.
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