King Charles health update as monarch prepares for major test of his stamina in Australia

King Charles will face his first major test of his stamina next month when he heads to Australia and Samoa for a jam-packed royal tour from October 18-26.

Charles, who continues to undergo cancer treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, will be joined by his wife the Queen for their first visit to a Commonwealth Realm since ascending the throne.

The long trip, spanning 12 time zones, is a sign the 75-year-old monarch is recovering well, with a source stating his health is “heading in a positive trajectory”.

It comes after the Princess of Wales revealed she has completed her course of chemotherapy and hopes to return to light duties in the coming months.

In Australia, the King and Queen will visit Sydney and Canberra, while their state visit to Samoa is largely focused on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

They will arrive in Sydney on Friday October 18 and will spend six days there, though the schedule encompasses just three days of engagements to allow sufficient time for the King to rest.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “We’ve had to, as you would with any visit, think about how you can ensure Their Majesties energies are preserved to be at their best.”

He added: “There had been some hope earlier in the year for Their Majesties to be able to visit New Zealand and on doctors’ advice that unfortunately wasn’t able to take place. We’ve had to make some tough decisions with the Australian Government where [Their Majesties] can get to.”

The itinerary has been scaled back to prioritise and protect the monarch’s recovery, though it’s still a jam-packed schedule.

They’ll enjoy a barbeque with locals, spend time at Sydney Harbour and the iconic Sydney Opera House and visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

Other highlights include receiving an official welcome at Parliament House, where they will be greeted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese - a republican who has called for the monarchy to be replaced - and a visit to the Australian War Memorial.

The King and Queen’s engagements will reflect aspects of their work. For Charles there is a focus on sustainability, faith and community, while Her Majesty's visits focus on domestic violence and literacy.

Charles will visit CSIRO where scientists will share their work on dealing with the impact of bushfires in Australia.

He will also hold a particularly poignant meeting with cancer experts, as he continues to spotlight the disease and the impact it has on families since his and his daughter-in-law’s diagnoses at the start of the year.

The King will meet two ‘Australians of the Year’, Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO, to learn about their ground-breaking cancer research into melanoma - one of the country’s most common cancers.

Elsewhere on the trip, The Queen will visit a library and meet children participating in a Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition workshop.

She’ll also take part in a discussion on family and domestic violence before meeting representatives from charity GIVIT, of which she is patroness, to celebrate its work in co-ordinating donations for those in need.

On Thursday October 24 the royal couple will be welcomed to Samoa by a traditional ‘Ava Fa’atupu ceremony, before meeting Samoans at an engagement to highlight aspects of Samoan traditions and culture.

The couple will continue to focus on the wider themes of their work, as the King will visit a mangrove forest and Samoa’s Botanical Garden while the Queen will visit a school and a victim support group.

As Head of the Commonwealth, The King, accompanied by The Queen, will attend the CHOGM Opening Ceremony and will host a Dinner for Commonwealth Heads of Government.

Though he has attended CHOGM six times before, Samoa 2024 marks his first as head of state.