On Sunday, October 20, 2024, King Charles III abruptly departed from a luncheon in his honor at Parliament House in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, after only being present for 10 minutes. This unexpected exit raised questions about his overall health status while touring Australia, as he is presently receiving cancer treatment.
King Charles, who is 75 years old, arrived in Australia on Friday, October 18 having put his cancer treatment on hold for 11 days to undertake this significant overseas trip. Despite his health issues, Charles was able to deliver a brief speech and present lawmakers with a symbolic gift, an hourglass, before leaving the event. Upon presenting the hourglass, he humorously suggested it could be used to keep things brief, flipping the timer and causing laughter among attendees as he quickly exited the event.
Insiders close to the royal visit have disclosed that the King is being accompanied by two doctors and has a supply of blood with him, indicating the seriousness of his health condition. Following his early departure from the luncheon, no public appearances were planned for Charles until Monday, October 21.
This marks the first time Charles has visited Australia as a monarch, a trip that was almost canceled due to his cancer diagnosis earlier this year. The itinerary has been carefully modified to cater to his health needs, including the elimination of evening events and state dinners. On medical advice, New Zealand was also removed from the trip. Buckingham Palace shared that this decision was made in collaboration with the governments of Australia and New Zealand and recognized it as a difficult one.
While royal aides have been transparent about the King’s diagnosis and treatment, they have not disclosed the specific type of cancer or details of the treatment he is undergoing. However, they have indicated that King Charles’s health is improving. Evidently, his cancer requires regular medical attention, yet his doctors have deemed him fit enough to undertake this trip, during which his cancer treatment has been temporarily suspended.
Both supporters and critics have pointed out the King’s resolve to carry on with the tour. Thomas Keneally, founder of the Australian Republic Movement, agreed to a meeting with the royal couple, acknowledging the significance of the visit despite his differing political views.
The first visit by a reigning monarch in over ten years has stirred discussions in Australia regarding whether the British royal should remain head of state. Recent surveys show that 45% of Australians support the constitutional monarchy, compared to 33% who favor a republic. This divided opinion among Australians adds another dimension of complexity to King Charles’s inaugural tour as king.
Throughout his life, King Charles has generally been in good health, with the exception of minor sports-related injuries and two mild cases of COVID-19. However, his current cancer diagnosis has necessitated a significant reduction in his public engagements and a reassessment of his responsibilities as the monarch.
Despite his health challenges, King Charles remains dedicated to fulfilling his obligations as Head of State. His determination to complete this tour, albeit in a limited capacity, demonstrates his commitment to maintaining strong relations with Australia and other Commonwealth countries.
