King Charles Planning Royal Visit to Australia This Year Despite Cancer Diagnosis

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, "The King, Queen and members of the royal family are always welcome in Australia"

King Charles could be heading Down Under this year despite his recent cancer diagnosis.

According to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, per local media outlet ABC, the country is “preparing for a possible visit from His Majesty The King to Australia later this year.”

"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," Albanese, 61, continued. "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."

The monarch, 75, was widely expected to travel to Australia around the time of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which is being held in Samoa and is scheduled to start on Oct. 24.

Related: A Complete Timeline of King Charles' Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Reports of a possible royal visit first emerged at the start of the year. According to The Telegraph, a government spokesman told The Australian newspaper in January that "the Prime Minister enjoys a warm relationship with the King and looks forward to welcoming His Majesty to Australia later this year."

The visit would be King Charles’ first as the country’s sovereign. He last visited Australia in 2018. The King's late mother, Queen Elizabeth, toured the country in 2011, visiting Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.

Princess Anne was the last member of the royal family to visit Australia. The Princess Royal and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, visited the country in April 2022 and undertook engagements in Sydney, including opening the 200th Sydney Royal Easter Show.

King Charles’ cancer diagnosis was revealed by Buckingham Palace on Feb. 5. The statement came shortly after Charles was admitted for treatment for an enlarged prostate at The London Clinic on Jan 26.

Related: King Charles Takes on New Military Role Previously Held by Queen Elizabeth — Why It's 'Especially Dear'

“During The King's recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer,” the palace said in a statement.

"His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual," they continued.

"The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible," the statement added. "His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer."

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While King Charles has postponed his public engagements, he has still been undertaking private meetings and state business, including his regular meetings with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The King has also been pictured attending church at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate with his wife, Queen Camilla.

He was last pictured publicly on Wednesday in London when he waved to well-wishers as he was driven from his home, Clarence House. The previous day, the King missed a Thanksgiving Service in Windsor Castle for the late King Constantine of Greece.

Queen Camilla, 76, formally led the royals at the service.

The King and Queen's last overseas tour took place in Oct. and Nov. 2023 when the royal couple visited Nairobi and Mombasa in Kenya.

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