Royal doctors have given the go-ahead for the king to resume a full schedule next year, including two major overseas trips.
Despite his ongoing battle with cancer, Charles is hard at work planning high-profile tours in the spring and autumn, with Canada being mentioned as a possible destination.
The 75-year-old king appeared exhausted at times during his nine-day visit to Australia and Samoa with the queen. The visit ended yesterday with a traditional ‘Ava ceremony in the Samoan village of Siumu, where Charles and Camilla received a necklace of pink garlands which were placed on a beige leather throne and the heavens opened.
Charles was given the title of chief of Toaiga o Tumua when he and Camilla were presented with a sacred ava in a coconut shell with a straw. “May God bless this ava,” Charles said as he lifted his cup and drank.
He also made a powerful statement about his illness, saying, “I hope to always remain faithful to this part of the world and live long enough to return and see you.”
The King has been undergoing treatment; he has been undergoing weekly cancer treatments since his diagnosis in February. Over the summer, he reduced his regular work to rest before a trip Down Under. A palace source said: “We are now working towards a more or less normal, full international travel programme for next year. This is the final high point for us and we know that we can think in these terms.”
Charles was bestowed with the chieftaincy title Toaiga o Tumua, as an Ava, sacred to him, and Camilla was presented with it in a coconut shell with a straw. “May God bless this Eva,” Charles said as he raised his cup and drank.
He also made these pointed comments about his illness: He was diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment every week in February. Over the summer he reduced his usual work to rest before a trip Down Under. A palace source said: “We are now working towards a full international travel programme, more or less as normal, for next year. For us, this is the ultimate high point, knowing that we can think in these terms.”
But in the Australian capital of Canberra, the king and queen were joined by Australian Aboriginal senator Lydia Thorpe. Insults were hurled. She accused the royal family of “genocide” and shouted “You are not my king” to a packed Parliament House. Palace sources said the king was “totally unfazed” by the incident, which may have been crucial in his mission to win the hearts and minds of his people.
A palace source said Prince Charles “did not dodge” the issues. “It would be very easy to run away from some of these issues, but the King is not the type to do that,” the official said. “He’s been on the throne for a long time. As always, he remained calm and continued to act. He believes freedom of expression is the cornerstone of democracy and everyone has a right to their own opinion.”
The reaction struck a chord with Australians, with hundreds turning out to greet the royal throughout her tour. On the final day of her stay, 10,000 people gathered outside the Sydney Opera House.
A palace source said: The aim of these trips is always to leave a mark and so it was very important to His Majesty that these legacy projects were launched during our stay.
“He loved the trip – it lifted his spirits and helped him recover. In that sense the trip, although demanding, was the perfect tonic.” Upon leaving Samoa, Charles and Camilla posted on social media: “My wife and I would like to thank both countries for the warm welcome and the countless beautiful people, memories that we will carry in our hearts for years to come.
“The many close ties that bind us… are renewed through our Commonwealth family and will remain as deep as they endure.”