King Charles Will 'Pause' Cancer Treatment During Royal Tour of Australia and Samoa: Report

Mar. 15, 2025

King Charleswill “pause” his ongoing ​​cancer treatmentduring his upcoming royal tour of Australia and Samoa, according to a new report.

On Oct. 6, theDaily Mailreported that the King’s medical team is allowing the sovereign to briefly cease what is thought to be weekly treatment during the long-distance trip, which runs from Friday, Oct. 18 to Saturday, Oct. 26.

“TheMailunderstands that His Majesty will continue with his ongoing cancer treatment right up until he flies, but that his doctors are happy for it to be briefly stopped while he is away,” the outlet reported.

“The King will then pick up with his treatment cycle as soon as he returns to the U.K.,” said the outlet, which described his treatment as “weekly.”

Next week, King Charles, 75, andQueen Camillawill kick off the trip to Australia and Samoa for their first tour of Commonwealth countries since his accession. It also marks the royal couple’s first major international trip following the King’s cancer diagnosis, which Buckingham Palace announced in February.

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral, for a Sunday church service on Sept. 8, 2024.Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

On Feb. 5, the palace announced on Feb. 5 that King Charles was diagnosed with “a form of cancer” following treatment for abenign enlarged prostatein January. A spokesmanclarifiedhe does not have prostate cancer.

A Buckingham Palaceannouncementthat prefaced King Charles' return to public-facing work described his treatment as ongoing. It didn’t disclose when the King’s treatment might be completed, and mentioned that all of his future plans were subject to medical advice.

“All future plans remain subject to doctors’ advice nearer the time, with appropriate adaptations made where necessary to minimize any risks to His Majesty’s continued recovery,” a palace spokesperson said.

In the months since, the sovereign and some of his family members have occasionally spoken about his diagnosis and health. “It’s alwaysa bit of a shockwhen they tell you,” the King reportedly told a patient at the Macmillan Cancer Centre in April. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla said that her husband was “doing very well” when a well-wisher asked about him during her solo stop at the Royal United Hospital on Sept. 3.

The King and Queen, 77, have a packed schedule ahead in Australia and Samoa, where they will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024. The summit is held biennially and the King’s appearance there waslong speculated, as he is the head of the Commonwealth association of 56 nations.

The palacesaidthat the couple’s engagements in both nations “will focus on themes designed to celebrate the best of Australia and Samoa, as well as reflecting aspects of The King and Queen’s work” — though the itinerary was shifted in the interest of his health.

King Charles (second from right) at Dumfries House in Scotland on Sept. 20, 2024.Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty

Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty

While the British royals wouldtypically visitthe Commonwealth country of New Zealand during a long-distance trip to Australia, it had been ruled out due to medical advice. A spokesperson previously explained that “the King’s doctors have advised that such an extended program should be avoided at this time, to prioritize 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,” the spokesperson said when the Australia and Samoa trip was announced in July.

Buckingham Palace added that the royals “send their warmest thanks and good wishes to all parties for their continued support and understanding.”

King Charles practiced histraditional Samoan dance movesat a royal reception celebrating the Commonwealth Diaspora on Oct. 3, and theDaily Mailreported that he traveled to Scotland after for some R&R before the big trip to Australia and Samoa.

King Charles and Queen Camilla (center left) at a reception celebrating the Commonwealth Diaspora at St. James' Palace in London on Oct. 2, 2024.Adrian Dennis - WPA Pool/Getty

Adrian Dennis - WPA Pool/Getty

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“The fortnight in the run up to the royal tour has been kept deliberately light for His Majesty. He will still be undertaking meetings, doing his paperwork and still come down for treatment,” a source told the outlet about the King’s plans for days ahead. “Australia is a big deal and he wants to be fighting fit.”

“For a workaholic [like him] it’s the chance to have a small breather,” the source said.

source: people.com