King Charles is determined to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa on October 21, despite medical advice cautioning against extensive travel during his battle with cancer.
According to sources, Prince William is unable to attend on his behalf due to the Princess of Wales’s own battle with cancer and other working royals aren’t deemed senior enough to stand in on his behalf.
“Attending the CHOGM is not something William can take on at this time due to Kate’s health, and although Anne and other working royals are doing a great job stepping in to plug the gaps at home, they are not viewed as high level enough to represent the sovereign as leader of the Commonwealth,” the source said.
Palace aides have yet to conduct a site visit to strategize a plan for the King and Queen’s visit to Samoa which was due to be followed by an official state visit to Australia.
The source tells Express.co.uk that this visit is deemed crucial for maintaining Australia’s allegiance to the Commonwealth, particularly as calls for a republic gain momentum in Australia.
“King Charles’s presence at both the Commonwealth meeting and in Australia is viewed as instrumental in preserving Commonwealth unity,” the source said. “Despite medical advice recommending against travelling long distances, particularly due to the time difference which can add to exhaustion, the King remains resolute in his decision to undertake the trip.”
Charles, 75, was confirmed to attend the 27th CHOGM on October 21–25 before his cancer diagnosis. This meeting will be the first under his leadership.
CHOGM consists of 56 member countries from across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific and will be the first time the high-level meeting will be hosted by a small island state in Samoa.
“This is a meeting that the Firm is viewing as pivotal to maintaining its hold over the Commonwealth,” the source said. “The King is determined to attend himself. It’s not something that a stand-in can really undertake on his behalf.”
The source adds that the King remains optimistic about embarking on the trip, which originally included stops in New Zealand and the all-important Australia. Palace aides are currently reviewing the proposed schedule and will soon initiate preliminary plans, including site visits in preparation for a scaled-down tour.
“The tour will be very much scaled-down and aides are also looking at holding events at times that fit more within the UK’s time zone so that the King can remain strong and healthy during the visit,” the source said. “Australia is being viewed as a key part of the tour because if that’s lost, the rest of the Commonwealth will fall like dominoes.”
The source concludes that even if Prince William was able to stand in for his father, it is highly unlikely that he would do so. Express.co.uk exclusively revealed in December how Prince William has drastic plans for modernising the monarchy once he takes over from his father. The heir to the throne is already working on a five-point plan that will see him wave goodbye to the late Queen’s and his father’s beloved Commonwealth.
“There was already a reluctance from both William and Kate to join the tour of the Commonwealth because they feel it’s an outdated institution,” the source said.
Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace have been approached for comment.
