SYDNEY, Sept 11 (Askume) – Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla will meet cancer researchers, representatives of Indigenous groups and review the naval fleet in Sydney Harbour during their visit to Australia next month, an official statement said on Wednesday.
Buckingham Palace said the King will make his first visit to Australia as monarch and will also attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa from October 21 to 26.
He is expected to arrive in Australia on October 18 and visit the Australian Parliament in Canberra.
The British monarch is head of state in 14 countries outside the United Kingdom, including Australia and New Zealand, although the role is largely ceremonial.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “Australians are looking forward to the King and Queen returning to Australia in October to showcase the best of Australian spirit.”
King Charles, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, will meet researchers Georgina Long and Richard Scollier to learn about their work on melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
The 75-year-old king returned to public duties in late April for the first time since his diagnosis.
He will also visit Australia’s science agency CSIRO to assess efforts to fight the bushfires and meet residents at a community barbecue in Sydney’s west, the royal statement said.
