Reports say King Charles III is preparing for a state visit to India early next year with Queen Camilla. The royal tour, which forms part of a government-led campaign, comes in an effort to cement ties with the Indian subcontinent and will serve as a personal boost for the monarch after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
The King’s trip is said to include stops in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, according to GB News, which cited palace sources. “We’re now working on a pretty normal-looking full overseas tour program for next year, which is a high for us to end on, to know that we can be thinking in those terms,” said a senior palace official.
The British government is keen to publicise a royal tour of Commonwealth countries, seeking serious economic ties outside Europe now that it is out of Europe. King Charles’ planned tour of the Indian subcontinent was postponed after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. However, the King and Queen paid a private visit to Bengaluru last month, staying at the most famous integrative medical centre in.
According to The Mirror, the British Foreign Office has approved talks with India and other prospective host countries over royal visits, with plans now being drawn up. After the last visit was axed, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reportedly told King Charles and Queen Camilla that he was “very anxious” to host them.
The 76-year-old monarch went on a three-month break from his duties as a monarch after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in January. In April, he began taking up his responsibilities with a visit to a London cancer center, where he joined other patients.
Despite this ongoing treatment, King Charles undertook a successful tour of Australia and Samoa last month, which clearly raised his spirits. In the wake of that trip, Buckingham Palace has started long-term planning for the King to return to a full international travel program next year, subject to medical advice.
A source told The Mirror: “It’s hugely encouraging to be able to make such plans for the King and Queen given the year the monarch has had, but it’s very much full steam ahead. A tour of the Indian subcontinent is in the offing, which will be of huge political and cultural significance for Britain on the world stage. The King and Queen are the perfect ambassadors at such a time.”
