On his initial international journey since revealing his cancer diagnosis, King Charles presented Australian lawmakers with the gift of time, a touching reminder of life’s “shortness.”
Just 10 minutes after arriving, the king exited the lunch event held in his honor, raising worries that cancer is affecting his ability to fulfill royal responsibilities.
Queen Elizabeth II famously stated during her reign, “I have to be seen to be believed,” a principle closely adhered to by her son, King Charles.
In this first overseas trip since being diagnosed with cancer in February, he traveled down under to meet Commonwealth Heads of State and “be seen” by the public.
According to the Daily Mail, the monarch will turn 76 on November 14 and was informed by doctors that he can “pause” his cancer treatment for 11 days while on tour with Queen Camilla.
The report states that he would continue with ongoing treatment until flying out and would resume it as soon as he returns home after a round trip of about 30,000 miles.
On October 19th, following nearly a 22-hour flight, throngs of Australians welcomed him along streets leading to parliament hoping for a glimpse as he headed towards New South Wales hall for lunch in his honor.
King Charles visited NSW’s legislative council celebrating its bicentenary this year. He appeared cheerful and joked about how it was “slightly worrying” that he’d first been in Australia almost six decades ago.
A much younger Charles also visited Australia for celebrations marking the Legislative Council’s150th anniversary back in1974.
During this visit ,the king enjoyed a lunch featuring dishes like marinated octopus and squid ink wafer; chargrilled asparagus dusted with olive; barramundi; and duck confit.
Charles gifted parliament an hourglass “figure speech timer,” which symbolizes the “passage of time,” before lunch began.
The hourglass rests on cedar wood from Highgrove home and is handmade in London at Goldsmiths’ Centre.
“With sands encouraging brevity , it just remains for me to say what joy it is coming here as sovereign again renewing my love for this country & its people which I have cherished so long,” said Charles addressing Parliament.
He concluded briefly saying ,“So thank you . Thank you . Thank you all for making me feel so welcome.”
Flipping over the hourglass himself , everyone watched sand slowly flow through it . Moments later ,the king left missing out on the first course served at his honor.
He stayed only ten minutes which raised concerns about how cancer affects his royal duties.
Commenting on demands during this11-day trip , royal expert Daniela Elser noted King’s resilience stating it’s about “a sick man who [is] determinedly pausing treatment just fly44 hours round-trip.”
“It’s hard not noticing signs showing wear from events happening this year,” she added .
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