"Their Majesties had a short private stopover in India"
King Charles and Queen Camilla enjoyed a secret spa break in India after their trip to Australia and Samoa.
The pair enjoyed several days at the Soukya resort known for its wellness programmes and Ayurvedic treatments.
The £3,000-a-week resort near Bengaluru is popular among celebrities, including actress Emma Thompson.
The spa is believed to be well-known to Charles and Camilla, with them both having visited several times before.
Camilla is understood to have spent a few days at the resort earlier in October 2024 before heading to Australia.
Guests at the resort begin their days with yoga, followed by rejuvenation treatments and a vegetarian lunch.
They also enjoy further therapies in the afternoon followed by meditation and dinner with lights out at 9 pm.
According to royal sources, the India break was not connected to the King’s ongoing cancer treatment, although doctors have advised the monarch to include appropriate rest periods as part of the overall long distances covered for the royal tour of Australia and Samoa earlier in October.
Charles and Camilla returned to the UK on a commercial flight and the King will resume his treatment cycle.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Their Majesties had a short private stopover in India to help break the long journey back from Samoa.
“They return to the UK this morning.”
News of the spa break comes after it was revealed that doctors have green-lit the King’s return to a full programme of events in 2025, including two overseas tours.
Despite his ongoing cancer battle, Charles is fully behind plans for high-profile tours in the spring and autumn, with Canada being a possible destination.
At times, King Charles looked weary during his nine-day visit to Australia and Samoa.
It came to a close on October 26 with a traditional Ava ceremony. The heavens opened in the Samoan village of Siumu as Charles and Camilla were given pink garland necklaces and seated on beige leather thrones.
Referencing his illness, he said: “I shall always remain devoted to this part of the world and hope I survive long enough to come back again and see you.”
Since being diagnosed in February 2024, the King has been having weekly cancer treatment.
Over the summer, he reduced his usual duties.
A Palace official said: “We’re now working on a pretty normal-looking, full overseas tour programme for next year, which is a high for us to end on, to know that we can be thinking in those terms.
“It is also a great measure of the way that the King is dealing with the diagnosis, and he’s a great believer in mind, body and soul.
“This combination works very well on a visit like this because he feels that sense of duty so strongly that to keep his mind and his soul engaged.”
During the tour, onlookers said the King looked “exhausted” as he battled jet lag and the humid weather in both Australia and Samoa.
His condition did appear to improve as he seemed to cope with the time difference and get some downtime by reading a “good book” and even swimming with the Queen in Samoa.
Loading ...