King Charles will “pause” his ongoing cancer treatment during his upcoming royal tour of Australia and Samoa, according to a new report. On October 6, the Daily Mail reported that the King’s medical team is allowing the sovereign to temporarily cease what is thought to be weekly treatment during the long-distance trip, which will take place from Friday, October 18, to Saturday, October 26.

The report states: “The Mail understands that His Majesty will continue with his ongoing cancer treatment right up until he flies, but that his doctors are happy for it to be briefly stopped while he is away.” The outlet also added: “The King will then pick up with his treatment cycle as soon as he returns to the U.K.” Describing the treatment as “weekly,” the report highlights the monarch’s ability to maintain his commitments while managing his health.

Next week, King Charles, now 75, and Queen Camilla will begin their visit to Australia and Samoa, marking their first royal tour of Commonwealth countries since King Charles ascended the throne. This trip also represents the royal couple’s first major international tour following the King’s cancer diagnosis, which Buckingham Palace had officially announced in February. On February 5, the palace disclosed that King Charles had been diagnosed with “a form of cancer” following treatment for a benign enlarged prostate in January. However, a spokesperson clarified that the King does not have prostate cancer.

After receiving this diagnosis, King Charles postponed his public-facing royal duties on the advice of his doctors. However, he continued working behind the scenes until April 30, when he resumed attending public events by visiting University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre. Though the hospital was not directly involved in the King’s care, the visit emphasized the importance of early cancer detection—one of the reasons King Charles decided to make his diagnosis public.

When King Charles returned to public engagements, Buckingham Palace released a statement mentioning that his treatment was ongoing. The statement did not specify when the treatment might be completed and emphasized that all of the King’s future plans were subject to medical advice. A palace spokesperson noted: “All future plans remain subject to doctors’ advice nearer the time, with appropriate adaptations made where necessary to minimize any risks to His Majesty’s continued recovery.”

Since that time, King Charles and members of his family have occasionally spoken publicly about his diagnosis and overall health. The King reportedly told a patient during his visit to the Macmillan Cancer Centre in April, “It’s always a bit of a shock when they tell you.” Queen Camilla also provided an update on her husband’s health during her visit to the Royal United Hospital on September 3, when a well-wisher inquired about him. She reassured the person by saying, “He’s doing very well.”

The royal couple has a full schedule for their upcoming tour of Australia and Samoa, where they will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024. This summit is held every two years and has been long speculated to include King Charles, given his role as the head of the Commonwealth, an association consisting of 56 nations.

The Palace has stated that the engagements in both Australia and Samoa “will focus on themes designed to celebrate the best of Australia and Samoa, as well as reflecting aspects of The King and Queen’s work.” However, adjustments to the tour have been made to accommodate the King’s health. Notably, a visit to New Zealand—traditionally part of such a long-distance trip—was ruled out due to medical advice. A Palace spokesperson explained that “the King’s doctors have advised that such an extended program should be avoided at this time, to prioritize His Majesty’s continued recovery.”

The Palace added that this decision was made in close consultation with the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers and with careful consideration of time and logistics. The spokesperson further noted that King Charles and Queen Camilla “send their warmest thanks and good wishes to all parties for their continued support and understanding.”

In preparation for the royal tour, King Charles has been making efforts to stay healthy and ready for the journey. On October 3, the King practiced his traditional Samoan dance moves at a royal reception celebrating the Commonwealth Diaspora. Following that, the Daily Mail reported that the King traveled to Scotland for some rest and relaxation before the trip to Australia and Samoa. According to a source who spoke to the outlet: “The fortnight in the run-up to the royal tour has been kept deliberately light for His Majesty. He will still be undertaking meetings, doing his paperwork, and still come down for treatment.” The source also added: “Australia is a big deal, and he wants to be fighting fit.”