On Sunday, October 20, 2024, King Charles III abruptly left a luncheon held in his honor at the Parliament House in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, after just 10 minutes. This unexpected departure raised concerns about his health as he continued his official visit to Australia, despite undergoing cancer treatment.
The 75-year-old monarch, who arrived in Australia the previous Friday, had put his cancer treatment on hold for 11 days to undertake this important foreign tour. Even with his health issues, Charles managed to deliver a brief speech and present a symbolic gift to lawmakers before leaving early. He humorously gave an hourglass to the parliament, a symbolic gesture towards the passage of time and a nod to brevity, which elicited laughter as he flipped the timer and made a swift exit.
Insiders on the royal tour have revealed that the King has two doctors and a blood supply with him, emphasizing the severity of his health condition. After his early departure from the luncheon, Charles was not expected to make any public appearances until the following day, Monday, October 21.
This visit is King Charles’s inaugural trip to Australia as King, a tour that almost didn’t happen due to his cancer diagnosis earlier this year. The itinerary has been delicately adjusted to cater to his health needs, with evening events and state dinners removed. Following medical advice, New Zealand was also dropped from the schedule. Buckingham Palace stated this decision was made “in collaboration” with the Australian and New Zealand governments, and conceded it was a “tough decision”.
While the Palace has been transparent about the King’s diagnosis and treatment, no details about the type of cancer or the specifics of his treatment plan have been disclosed. They have, however, assured that “His health is on a positive trajectory,” according to royal aides. It is clear that the King’s treatment is ongoing and necessitates regular medical attention, but he is healthy enough to travel, with his treatment temporarily paused for the trip.
Both supporters and critics acknowledged the King’s resolve to proceed with the tour. Thomas Keneally, founder of the Australian Republic Movement, accepted an invitation to meet with the royal couple, recognizing the importance of the visit despite his opposition to the monarchy.
This first visit by a reigning monarch in over 10 years has spurred renewed debates in Australia about the appropriateness of a British royal remaining as Head of State. Recent polls show that 45% of Australians favor the constitutional monarchy, whereas 33% support becoming a republic. This mixed sentiment among the Australian population adds another layer of complexity to King Charles’s first tour as king.
Generally, King Charles has enjoyed good health throughout his life, except for minor sports injuries and two mild cases of COVID-19. However, his current cancer diagnosis has necessitated a significant reduction in his public duties and a reassessment of his role as monarch.
Regardless of his health issues, King Charles remains dedicated to carrying out his responsibilities as Head of State. His determination to complete this tour, albeit in a limited capacity, underscores the importance he places on maintaining solid ties with Australia and other Commonwealth nations.