King Charles III is set to resume a full programme of overseas engagements next year, as his treatment continues to progress positively following his cancer diagnosis in early 2024. Despite ongoing medical care, plans are being made for the King to travel abroad during the spring and autumn of 2025, the traditional periods for official royal visits. These plans remain contingent on approval from his medical team.
A new photograph of Their Majesties was released to mark the beginning of their visit. (Royal Family).
The encouraging development follows the King and Queen’s recent tour of Australia and Samoa, which Palace officials have described as a ‘perfect tonic’ for His Majesty. King Charles is said to have genuinely enjoyed the trip, finding great fulfilment in the engagements and the warm reception from the public.
‘He has genuinely loved this tour. He has genuinely thrived on the programme. It’s lifted his spirits, his mood, and his recovery’, a senior palace official stated. ‘It is hard to overstate the joy that he takes from duty and service and being in public and seeing those crowds engaging with communities across the spectrum. That really does lift the spirits. You can see that’.
A new portrait of Their Majesties was released during their Autumn tour. (Buckingham Palace Twitter)
As part of his treatment plan, the King will continue with outpatient appointments into 2025, managing his condition while fulfilling royal duties. His most recent tour was carefully designed to balance rest with official engagements, ensuring his health remained a top priority. The schedule involved up to 10 engagements per day, with a focus on daytime events and limited evening functions.
Palace officials highlighted the King’s dedication to his role and his determination to continue serving despite the physical demands of such trips. ‘I think it’s great testament to the King’s devotion to service and duty that he was prepared to come this far, and he was incredibly happy and very, very determined to do so,’ the official added.
Closing his speech during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, King Charles said: ‘For my part, I can assure you today that for however many years God grants me, I will join you and the people of the Commonwealth on every step of this journey. Let us learn from the lessons of the past. Let us be proud of who we are today’.
King Charles attends CHOGM 2024. (Royal Family).
The King’s resilience is supported by the Queen, whose presence is described as a significant source of strength for him. ‘The King gets great strength from the Queen being there, not least because she keeps it real,’ noted the palace official.
Buckingham Palace aides also revealed that Queen Camilla has been urging her husband to take some down time by reading a ‘great’ new book – a passion that Her Majesty has actively made a key theme of her royal work and also created her own online book club. They also added how Charles feels closer than ever to Camilla and that Their Majesties are a ‘remarkable unit’, courtiers say, and she has kept it ‘real’ for him.
King Charles and Queen Camilla during their visit to Samoa. (Royal Family)
As planning progresses for next year, the Palace is optimistic about the King’s ability to participate in a full overseas schedule, providing his health continues to improve. This positive outlook signals a hopeful and active year ahead for the King and the wider Royal Family.
