King Charles has sparked fresh concerns about his health, after he left a luncheon that was held in his honor after just 10 minutes.
According to reports, the monarch attended the luncheon at NSW’s Parliament House on Sunday, October 20th as part of his and Queen Camilla’s six-day trip to Sydney and Canberra in Australia, but left before the first course was served. This was the monarch’s first major overseas tour since he announced his cancer diagnosis, and was reportedly taking things easy so as not to tire himself out.
King Charles Gives A Short Speech At NSW's Parliament House
King Charles reportedly left the event after making a short speech. "With the sands of time encouraging brevity, it just remains for me to say what a great joy it is to come to Australia for the first time as sovereign and to renew a love of this country and its people which I have cherished for so long," King Charles told parliament while he was there, before thanking everyone multiple times.
"So thank you. Thank you," he continued, adding: "Thank you for making me feel so very welcome. Thank you."
Royal Navy Doctors Were Reportedly On Hand During King Charles And Queen Camilla's Australia Trip
This was King Charles's first visit to Australia since his coronation in May, 2023, but his 17th visit there overall. The schedule for the six-day trip Down Under was reportedly created to allow King Charles adequate time to rest in-between official engagements.
The King reportedly temporarily paused his cancer treatment to allow himself to go on the trip, and will reportedly continue his treatment for his cancer when he returns to the U.K.
According to GB News, royal navy doctors were never "more than a few paces away from the King," with the doctors carrying an abundance of medical equipment including a mobile defibrillator and emergency medication.
King Charles' Visit Gets Mixed Reactions Online
Royal expert Jennie Bond thinks it's a good sign that King Charles felt well enough to go to Australia, even if the trip had to be tailored around his current health status. "Charles is 75, he is not a young man by any means. He is set to travel to Australia with Camilla, that will be quite testing I should think," she told GB News, ahead of his trip, adding: "But he is back on the world scene. That is good news."
Other people weren't so positive once he had landed in Australia, and voiced their concerns for his health. "I sure hope I am wrong but Charles is looking rather fragile. God Bless King Charles," wrote one fan in a Daily Mail comment section about the trip.
"The man is ill yet made the effort so they should appreciate that!" exclaimed a second, as a third said: "He really doesn't look well. I wish him well in his continuing recovery." "Touch wood, except for one, everything is going better than I expected for King Charles in Australia, let's hope he has enough stamina to continue this brave tour," wrote another, as someone else said: "Charles is fighting for his life, but puts all that on hold to bond with Australians. This is the King of Australia."
