Charles to visit Poland on 80th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation

King Charles is set to visit Poland this month to attend commemoration events for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. 

The monarch, 76, who is still undergoing treatment for cancer, will attend a service on January 27 and meet with members of the local community in Krakow. 

The visit is marking 80 years since the liberation of the former German Nazi concentration camp on January 27, 1945. 

It will be The King’s fifth to Poland - the more recent of which include a 2008 trip with Queen Camilla and in 2010 as part of a wider European tour to Hungary and the Czech Republic. 

His Majesty will also meet the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr Andrzej Duda. 

The King's cancer treatment is continuing into this year, a Buckingham Palace source previously revealed. 

The source has said the 76-year-old's health is still being 'managed' but is 'moving in a positive direction'.

His Majesty intends to return to a full programme of public duties next year. This will include 'exciting' UK and international visits in the first half of 2025, the insider said.

'His treatment has been moving in a positive direction, as a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into the new year', the Palace source said. 

Charles has been carrying on with his duties despite facing a personally challenging year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer.

News of Charles' cancer, undisclosed in its form, came in February, after it was discovered while he was treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate in January.

He cancelled all face-to-face public duties but returned in April and has since travelled to France for D-Day commemorations, hosted incoming state visits for the Emperor of Japan and the Emir of Qatar, and undertaken a hectic tour to Australia and Samoa with the Queen, despite still undergoing outpatient cancer treatment.

He and Queen Camilla are set to travel to Italy, for their first major royal tour of the year. 

The visit will see him meet with Pope Francis for the first time as monarch. 

The historic meeting will see Charles hold a private audience with the Pope during the Rome leg of their Spring trip.

With Italy marking its jubilee year, the visit of King Charles will signify a major sign of intent on the monarch's behalf.

Charles will be the first monarch in a decade to meet with the leader of the Catholic Church.

It is thought that the King has been keen to meet Pope Francis in recent times, with the Pontiff now 88-years-old and having suffered from ill health and mobility problems over the last number of years.

According to the Mirror, Charles is also set to visit various Vatican landmarks such as the Sistine Chapel.

The small 15th century church is known the world over for its frescoe-covered ceilings, the work of famed Renaissance painter Michelangelo.

This weekend the King and Queen appeared in high spirits as they arrived at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral this morning to attend a Sunday service.

Travelling in a green Range Rover, Charles, 76, and Camilla, 77, smiled as they made their way through the snowy roads close to their Scottish estate.

Wearing a tweed jacket, the King looked relaxed as a driver took the wheel, navigating him through the streets of Crathie on a cold winter's day.

Camilla, who sat in the front seat, smiled in her stylish black coat and a matching fur-lined hat.

The royal's close friend and one of her six royal companions, Lady Sarah Keswick, joined the couple and sat next to the King.