UK’s King Charles to visit Australia and Samoa in test of stamina after cancer diagnosis

King Charles has announced plans to visit Australia and Samoa next month on a trip that will span a dozen time zones and test the monarch’s stamina as he recovers from cancer treatment.

The October 18-26 tour, which Buckingham Palace outlined on Tuesday, marks a watershed moment for the 75-year-old king.

Charles is slowly returning to public duties after taking a break following his cancer diagnosis in early February. The decision to undertake such a long journey will be seen as a sign of his recovery.

The trip will begin in Australia before the king and Queen Camilla travel to Samoa for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting, which takes place every two years. Although the tour was first announced in July, no dates were released at that time.

Charles’ globetrotting itinerary comes as he works to shore up support for the monarchy at home and abroad two years after becoming king.