King Charles’ trip to Australia – and why it almost didn’t happen

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will arrive in Australia on Friday for a historic royal tour.

Eight months ago, I never thought I would be writing these words.

In February, Buckingham Palace announced that the king had cancer and had stopped all his “public-facing duties” on doctor’s orders.

At the time, traveling to Australia seemed unthinkable. The roughly 24-hour flight time, the agonizing jet lag and several days of royal engagements must have been unbearable for a 75-year-old man dealing with a cancer diagnosis and the start of treatment.

But palace aides never gave up on the journey entirely—and whenever they did, they were careful with their language. They said that “this possibility cannot be ruled out” or that “the decision will be made based on the advice of doctors” and that “the king needs to focus first on the treatment of cancer.”

By late spring, there were signs that the visit might still go ahead.

Part of the King’s team traveled to Australia and Samoa to liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Australian and New Zealand governments to assess possible scenarios and finalize arrangements.

Is the king in good health enough to handle the rigors of this journey? The answer is yes—with some important changes.

New Zealand has been removed from the fixture list following medical advice. Buckingham Palace said the choice had been made “in partnership” with the Australian and New Zealand governments and acknowledged it was a “difficult decision”.

Royal aides have been public about the king’s diagnosis and treatment, but they have never revealed the type of cancer he has or provided details about the type of treatment he is receiving. “His health is good,” they told us.

What is clear is that the King’s treatment is ongoing and his cancer requires regular medical treatment. But he’s healthy enough for his doctors to approve the trip, and his cancer treatment has been put on hold while he’s gone.

Leaving New Zealand and cutting his trip short meant he could resume normal treatment sooner.

The king and queen’s plans also look a little different than regular royal tours. When they arrive, they will have a day to recover before starting activities again. It has been a long journey – they are both in their 70s and the day off is again a nod to the King’s illness.

The Australia and Samoa timetables do not include evening activities. There were no state banquets or late-night outings. But over the next nine days, we’re going to see more kings than we’ve seen in most of this year.

Buckingham Palace said a lot of thought had gone into a “balanced plan” and planned to “preserve the King’s energy”.

This is Charles’ first visit as king to one of the 14 countries where he serves as head of state. It will also be his first time attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), where he heads 56 national associations.

King’s reign was marred by a cancer diagnosis, but the trip gave him a real sense that he was back in business.

In addition to the doctor’s orders, the king must also perform surgeries on the queen’s orders. His wife has found herself alone more than she expected this year, continuing to complete several activities she should have done with her husband.

Queen Camilla, an influential figure in the royal family, has spoken out about her husband’s “workaholic” mentality at numerous public events, even after he was diagnosed with cancer.

She was key in ensuring the king followed medical advice and took time to recover during treatment. During this visit, she will also do the same in Australia and Samoa, as well as developing some of her own campaigns around issues such as literacy and supporting victims of domestic violence.

Royal travel requires precise planning. They have a compilation and list of moments to hit – parliament, dignitaries, military, environment and culture.

On the surface, the Australian element of the trip is traditional and safe territory. But it’s also very different from before.

In 1966, at the age of 17, King visited Australia for the first time and began teaching for two terms at a private school in Victoria. He returns as a 75-year-old monarch, undergoing treatment for cancer and at the end of a year facing huge personal challenges.

His public life was limited by illness. Although his schedule became busier as his treatment progressed, he returned to the comfort of Balmoral to spend the summer holidays and prepare for the trip.

“How’s the King doing?” This is a question I’ve been asked over and over again this year – and sometimes it’s hard to answer.

In the coming days, we will be able to see the King at work day in and day out. A closer look at the Head of State, the King of Australia.

The tour is a major showcase for the monarchy, which needs to be seen – even more so in a country where the Australian Republic has been a lively topic of political debate in recent years. Optics are important to Buckingham Palace.

The aim is to make the King look good, interact with the public, manage a full schedule of events, engage in some soft diplomacy and embrace what Australia and Samoa have to offer.

Getting here isn’t easy. But royal aides believe the visit will give a strong sense of a return to normal services.