King receives special invitation as first major royal tour since his cancer diagnosis hangs in the balance

Charles is still expected to make the trip halfway round the globe in October – but additional legs of the trip have reportedly been canned
King Charles has an “open invitation” to visit New Zealand, its Prime Minister has said, in the wake of reports that the King may have had to shelve an official trip following his cancer diagnosis.

While Charles is still expected to make the trip halfway round the globe to visit Australia and Samoa for a Commonwealth summit in October, additional legs of the trip to fellow South Pacific states New Zealand and Fiji had reportedly been canned as the 75-year-old monarch continues his treatment for the illness.

A source had told the Mirror: “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.”

But when asked about the reports, New Zealand’s PM, Christopher Luxon, extended an “open invitation to King Charles” for what would be his first visit there since 2019.

A source had told the Mirror: “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.”

But when asked about the reports, New Zealand’s PM, Christopher Luxon, extended an “open invitation to King Charles” for what would be his first visit there since 2019.

Ahead of the long-distance trip – the longest the King would make in his reign, and only the fourth following visits to France, Germany and Kenya – Buckingham Palace officials are in Australia laying the groundwork for his arrival.

It’s understood that the King’s private secretary Clive Alderton is already in the key Commonwealth Realm this month in order to shore up final arrangements for the visit.

As Charles’s cancer battle continues, the Australian segment of the official visit is believed to have been cut down to just six days.

The King and Queen will face a race against the clock to adjust to the time difference in Australia – but are due to take a two-day break before the royal couple arrive in Samoa for three days in order to attend the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2024).

source told the Mail: “Officials first decided to drop Fiji and then New Zealand, because a trip like that is quite strenuous.

“The tour will probably last around 10 days, covering Australia and Samoa.”

But Kiwi officials have counselled calm over a potential cancellation; Adrian Rurawhe, an MP from New Zealand’s Labour Party, said: “Nothing has been announced so far over here, but if the royal visit is cancelled, New Zealanders will be typically reasonable about it.”

Crucially, no part of the visit has yet been formally confirmed by Buckingham Palace, with future trips still in the balance depending on how the monarch fares in his cancer treatment in the months ahead.