TOI World Desk
King Charles III and Queen Camilla of Britain are set to embark on a journey to Australia in October, as announced by Buckingham Palace on Sunday. The royal couple’s visit will be part of a tour that also includes attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa this year.
This trip to Australia will mark the 75-year-old British monarch‘s inaugural visit to a Commonwealth realm since his ascension to the throne.In addition to being the head of state in the United Kingdom, Charles also holds a largely ceremonial role in 14 other realms, including Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
“Their Majesties The King and Queen will undertake an Autumn Tour in October 2024. This will include Royal Visits to Australia and Samoa, where Their Majesties will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024,” the palace said in a press release.
The King and Queen will visit Australia at the invitation of the Australian Government, where their programme will feature engagements in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales,” the palace said.
“Their majesties’ state visit to Samoa will celebrate the strong bilateral relationship between the Pacific Island nation and the UK,” the statement added.
The king and queen’s upcoming tours will have further details disclosed in the coming months. However, a palace spokesperson mentioned that similar to all of Charles’s recent engagements, “his program in both countries will be subject to doctors’ advice, and any necessary modifications on health grounds.”
The decision to limit the visit to Samoa and Australia was made in close consultation with the Australian and New Zealand prime ministers, taking into account time constraints and logistics, as well as the advice from the king’s medical team to avoid an extended program at this time.
“Their majesties send their warmest thanks and good wishes to all parties for their continued support and understanding,” the spokesperson added.
Charles’ visit to Australia will serve as a crucial assessment of his popularity as head of state. The nation, colonizsed by the British in 1788, has long debated the necessity of a long-distance monarch. Despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s pro-republic views, there has been no immediate push towards becoming a republic in Australia following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
This trip to Australia will mark the 75-year-old British monarch‘s inaugural visit to a Commonwealth realm since his ascension to the throne.In addition to being the head of state in the United Kingdom, Charles also holds a largely ceremonial role in 14 other realms, including Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
“Their Majesties The King and Queen will undertake an Autumn Tour in October 2024. This will include Royal Visits to Australia and Samoa, where Their Majesties will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024,” the palace said in a press release.
The King and Queen will visit Australia at the invitation of the Australian Government, where their programme will feature engagements in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales,” the palace said.
“Their majesties’ state visit to Samoa will celebrate the strong bilateral relationship between the Pacific Island nation and the UK,” the statement added.
The king and queen’s upcoming tours will have further details disclosed in the coming months. However, a palace spokesperson mentioned that similar to all of Charles’s recent engagements, “his program in both countries will be subject to doctors’ advice, and any necessary modifications on health grounds.”
The decision to limit the visit to Samoa and Australia was made in close consultation with the Australian and New Zealand prime ministers, taking into account time constraints and logistics, as well as the advice from the king’s medical team to avoid an extended program at this time.
“Their majesties send their warmest thanks and good wishes to all parties for their continued support and understanding,” the spokesperson added.
Charles’ visit to Australia will serve as a crucial assessment of his popularity as head of state. The nation, colonizsed by the British in 1788, has long debated the necessity of a long-distance monarch. Despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s pro-republic views, there has been no immediate push towards becoming a republic in Australia following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.