King Charles and Queen Camilla will skip New Zealand during their upcoming down under tour, British media is reporting.
The Mirror reports the royal pair will also spend less time in Australia during the October trip than originally planned as his doctors fear the King will have too much on his plate.
In February, it was announced King Charles had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer.
He has since returned to public duties in a scaled-back form, as he continues to receive treatment.
Sources told The Mirror the Australia leg of the tour will be scaled back to around six days, followed by a break of around two days before the pair jet off to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
"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," an insider said.
The King and Queen last visited New Zealand as Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall in 2019, making stops in Auckland, Waitangi, Christchurch and Kaikōura.
Details of the Australian leg of the tour are yet to be confirmed, with government and charitable organisations vying to be included.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said planning was underway on the logistics of the visit.
Newshub
