Why King Charles cancelled New Zealand-Australia tour

NEW DELHI: King Charles has decided to scale back his planned tour of Australia and cancel his trip to New Zealand altogether, following medical advice regarding his ongoing cancer recovery. The 76-year-old monarch initially planned to visit Australia and Samoa with Queen Camilla and then continue to New Zealand. However, concerns over his health led to a reassessment of the tour schedule.
Earlier this year, King Charles was admitted to the hospital for routine treatment for an enlarged prostate, but subsequent tests in February revealed an unspecified form of cancer, leading to ongoing chemotherapy treatments.
According to the Mirror a source said, "Naturally, it will be a bitter disappointment on both sides to not have the opportunity for the King and Queen to visit New Zealand, but of course all are aware of the King's ongoing health and the need for him to pace himself."
"It's very much hoped there will be further opportunities in the future."
As per the Mirror report, the Australia leg of the tour has now been shortened to approximately six days, with a planned two-day break before the King and Queen proceed to Samoa for a three-day visit. The New Zealand trip has been cancelled entirely due to health concerns.
This visit was set to be the first by a reigning monarch to Australia since Queen Elizabeth II's 2011 tour, during which she attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth. King Charles, who has visited Australia 15 times, last traveled there in 2018 for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and to visit regions in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed the nation’s support and said, "The King has shown his compassion for Australians affected by recent natural disasters, just as Australians have shown compassion and support for the King following his cancer diagnosis. The King, Queen, and members of the Royal Family are always welcome in Australia."
Deputy prime minister Richard Marles said, "There is an affection for King Charles, I know King Charles has a deep affection for Australia. A royal visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla later in the year would be a really, really tremendous and popular event and I do think that Australians would very much welcome seeing King Charles in our country."
Australian state and territory leaders have been invited to submit proposals to host the royal couple, emphasizing the King’s longstanding connection to Australia and his commitment to climate and sustainability issues. As the Mirror noted, "It's very much hoped there will be further opportunities in the future."