King Charles has been told to “slow down” with his public engagements by Queen Camilla, a source has claimed, as he gears up for a hectic summer – as well as a round-the-world tour to Australia.
With the King still undergoing treatment for his cancer, Buckingham Palace had confirmed earlier this year that his summer programme would be reeled in to allow for a stronger recovery.
And the Palace has previously indicated that Charles’s doctors have been “very encouraged” and “sufficiently pleased” about the King’s progress.
But regardless of his recovery, the King has weathered a busy slate of engagements over the last few weeks, with Royal Ascot and Trooping the Colour among his most high-profile public appearances.
The King has weathered a packed slate of engagements, but Camilla has counselled calm
PA
And in response, the Queen has urged her husband of 19 years to settle down somewhat, raising concerns over burnout and exhaustion – both of which could impede upon his remarkable recovery thus far at the age of 75.
A friend of Camilla told the Daily Beast: “She has been trying to encourage him to slow down.
“Of course, he wants to keep cracking on, but she is afraid that doing too much could set him back.”
The revelation follows the news that the rumoured cancellation of King Charles’s trip to New Zealand as part of a Commonwealth tour later this year has left the King with “great regret”.
MORE ON CHARLES AND CAMILLA:
The Queen has urged her husband of 19 years to settle down
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Charles is still expected to travel halfway round the globe to visit Australia and Samoa for a Commonwealth summit in October, but additional legs of the trip to fellow South Pacific states New Zealand and Fiji had reportedly been canned as the 75-year-old monarch continues his treatment for the illness.
The Australian segment of the official visit is believed to have been cut down to just six days, but the King believes visiting the country is “non-negotiable”, owing to its political atmosphere – “considerable popular antipathy” to the monarchy, according to some.
The King and Queen will face a race against the clock to adjust to the time difference in Australia – but are due to take a two-day break before the royal couple arrive in Samoa for three days in order to attend the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2024).
Another source told the outlet: “To go there when he is being treated for cancer wasn’t what he planned – but you could hardly think of a better way of letting Australians know how important they are to the crown.”
The King has made a remarkable recovery thus far at the age of 75
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King Charles has been urged to “slow down” by the Queen
PA
Of course, the King isn’t the only royal to be facing down disruption to their summer schedules over cancer diagnoses.
As the Princess of Wales continues her own treatment, Wimbledon chiefs have admitted they “don’t know” who will present trophies at this year’s tennis tournament.
With just days remaining until the championships get underway, All England Club chair Deborah Jevans said organisers would consider what to do “nearer the time if necessary” as Kate returns to public duties after months on the sidelines battling the illness.
Jevans told Telegraph Sport: “We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority.”
