King Charles III will continue to go on regular trips abroad amid his ongoing cancer battle.
“We’re now working on a pretty normal-looking full overseas tour program for next year, which is a high point for us, knowing that we can think in those terms,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson confirmed in a statement to Hello! on Saturday, October 26.
The spokesperson added that Charles, 75, “genuinely loved” his recent 10-day tour of Australia and Samoa with his wife, Queen Camilla, as it lifted “his spirits [and] his mood” and aided “his recovery.” Despite “the demands” of the tour, the spokesperson said it was “the perfect tonic” for Charles.
“I think it’s a great testament to the King’s devotion to service and duty that he was prepared to come this far,” the spokesperson added. “He was incredibly happy and very, very determined to do so.”
Charles’ health was kept in mind when planning his trip to Australia and Samoa, which kicked off on October 18. The Daily Mail reported that the itinerary was created to be “mindful” of the monarch’s current condition, with “10 engagements a day” between himself and Camilla, 77.
Royal expert Rebecca English told the outlet that Charles’ cancer treatment was briefly paused for the duration of the trip, noting that his doctors were “happy” to approve the break. Charles previously explained last month that he would forgo a stop in New Zealand during the tour due to his doctor’s guidance.
“I’m extremely sorry I can’t come to New Zealand in late October because of doctor’s orders,” he said while meeting the New Zealand Black Ferns rugby team last month. “I hope there’ll be another excuse [to come] before [it’s] not too long.”
The king announced his cancer diagnosis in February after undergoing a routine prostate procedure.
“His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties,” the palace said in a statement at the time. “Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.”
Charles resumed public-facing duties in late April. Camilla was by his side for his first appearance after his diagnosis, which took place at a specialist cancer center in London.
Camilla’s son, Tom Parker Bowles, shared some insight into Charles’ cancer journey last month.
“[The] doctor says the treatment is going well,” he said while promoting his cookbook, Cooking and the Crown, according to the Daily Express.
Parker Bowles, 49, noted that his mother is hanging in there as well.
“She’s tough, my mother,” he said.
While Charles will continue to travel abroad, he has made some lifestyle changes since being diagnosed with cancer. The Daily Mail reported earlier this month that the king had started eating lunch on doctor’s orders after decades of viewing the meal as a “luxury” he couldn’t fit into his schedule. A source told the outlet that his lunches are more like a snack and typically consist of half an avocado.
Charles’ daughter-in-law Princess Kate Middleton also battled cancer this year. She completed chemotherapy treatment in September after announcing her diagnosis in March.
“Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes,” she wrote in a statement, adding that “doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus.”
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