JET SETTING
King Charles ‘preparing for 20hr long-haul flight in major royal visit’ just MONTHS after cancer diagnosis
It would be Charles' first trip to Australia as sovereign
KING Charles is still planning to travel to Australia later this year despite his recent cancer diagnosis.
The King and Queen were set to visit Pacific Commonwealth nations in October and early November in a major tour marking the new reign.
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But plans were thrown into doubt after Charles, 75, announced last month he had been diagnosed with cancer.
The disease was spotted as the King underwent a planned operation for an 'enlarged prostate'.
But Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his government is still making preparations to welcome the King and Queen.
Albanese said the federal government is engaging with state governments and territories on options for the visit.
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"Australia is preparing for a possible visit from his Majesty the King to Australia later this year," the Australian leader said.
"The King has shown his compassion for Australians affected by recent natural disasters, just as Australians have shown compassion and support for the King following his cancer diagnosis.
"The King, Queen and members of the Royal family are always welcome in Australia.
"My government is engaging with states and territories on options for a possible royal visit."
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Charles made 15 official trips to Australia as prince over nearly six decades, but this would be his first as sovereign.
He most recently visited Australia to open the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018.
He first visited in the 1960s when he spent two terms as an exchange student at the exclusive Geelong Grammar School near Melbourne.
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It comes as a royal expert exclusively told The Sun's Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson how aides plan to help in the King's recovery.
Writer and broadcaster Robert Jobson revealed Charles only saw Prince Harry for 30 minutes to keep his stress levels down after Harry's mad dash from California to Clarence House.
Any extended meeting would only end up delving into stressful topics which would hinder the King's recovery, he said.
He added: "You don't want his blood pressure going up. The King's not very well, whatever type of cancer it is, he's undergoing treatment."
"The best thing for him is calm," he said.
"After the initial kiss and hug, love you dad, hope you get better soon, what issues are going to get raised? Things that will get your blood pressure rising."
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How Charles bravely revealed diagnosis to help others
KING Charles has bravely broken with royal protocol by sharing his cancer diagnosis.
Senior royals have in the past been tight-lipped about their health battles.
The last top royal diagnosed with cancer was Charles's grandfather George VI.
Heavy smoker George had his left lung removed for "structural abnormalities" in September 1951, months before he died.
The "abnormalities" were actually a life-threatening carcinoma, but the public never learned about George's cancer ordeal.
Buckingham Palace said Charles wanted to share his cancer diagnosis to boost "public understanding" for cancer patients worldwide.
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