Buckingham Palace has announced more information about King Charles and Queen Camilla’s upcoming historic tour to Australia and Samoa. The royal couple will travel to Australia and then proceed to Samoa from Friday, October 18, to Saturday, October 26.
This will be King Charles’ first visit to Australia as monarch, and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa will be his first as Head of the Commonwealth. The palace spokesperson noted that their engagements will celebrate the best of Australia and Samoa while reflecting the King and Queen’s ongoing work.
In Australia, King Charles, who is currently undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, will meet with leading cancer researchers Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer to discuss their efforts in combating melanoma, a prevalent cancer in Australia.
The spokesperson also mentioned that there had been hopes for a visit to New Zealand, but, based on medical advice and consultations with both Australian and New Zealand governments, this was not feasible. Adjustments to the program were made to accommodate the King’s health needs.
Highlights of the visit include a tour of Parliament House in Canberra with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a reception addressing political and community leaders, and a tribute at the Australian War Memorial. The King and Queen will also review the Royal Australian Navy in Sydney Harbour.
King Charles will engage with firefighters at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to learn about their efforts against bushfires and will tour the National Botanic Gardens. Queen Camilla will focus on literacy and raising awareness of domestic violence, meeting children at a library in Sydney and engaging with GIVIT in Canberra.
The community barbecue will offer the King and Queen a taste of New South Wales’ diverse produce and local culture. They will also meet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives to learn about their contributions to the community.
In Samoa, the royal couple will be formally welcomed with an ‘Ava Fa’atupu ceremony and will engage with Samoans to highlight local traditions and culture. King Charles will visit a mangrove forest and a National Park, while Queen Camilla will visit a school and a victim support unit.
