King Charles and Queen Camilla's Historic Visit to Australia

King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit Australia next month, marking the King's first visit to a realm as monarch. Their itinerary includes meetings with cancer researchers, indigenous group representatives, and a naval fleet review in Sydney. King Charles will also attend the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Samoa.

Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to meet cancer researchers, representatives of Indigenous groups, and conduct a naval fleet review in Sydney during their visit to Australia next month, according to official statements released on Wednesday. This marks the King's first visit to a realm as monarch.

During their stay, King Charles will also attend the Commonwealth heads of government meeting scheduled for Oct. 21-26 in Samoa, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace. The visit begins on Oct. 18, with the British monarch expected to visit Australia's parliament in Canberra. Although largely ceremonial, King Charles holds the head of state title in Australia, New Zealand, and 14 other realms outside the United Kingdom.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated, "Australians look forward to welcoming The King and Queen back to Australia in October, and highlighting the best of the Australian spirit." The King, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, will meet researchers Georgina Long and Richard Scolyer to discuss their work on melanoma, a type of skin cancer. The royal couple will also visit Australia's science agency, CSIRO, to review bushfire combating efforts and attend a community barbecue in Western Sydney.

(With inputs from agencies.)