King cancels visit after election announcement

King Charles III was seen earlier this week at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

King Charles III has cancelled a planned visit to Cheshire later this week, in the wake of the general election being called.

Buckingham Palace had announced the King would visit the luxury vehicle manufacturer Bentley and a community centre during a visit to Crewe on Friday.

But in the wake of Rishi Sunak's decision to call an election, Buckingham Palace has cancelled visits which could "distract" from the campaign.

The trip included a visit to St Paul’s Community Centre, which provides furniture, food, shoes and community activities to people who are struggling financially.

The King, who has been undergoing treatment for cancer, has resumed some public duties since he was given permission by his doctors to return to public duties in April.

He attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London with the Queen on Monday.

The King will still go to big planned national events like the D-Day commemorations next month and royal events like garden parties will continue.

There is also a Japanese state visit due during the election campaign, but any decisions on cancelling that will be taken by the Foreign Office.

The King last visited Cheshire in 2018, when he was Prince of Wales, where he surprised the crowds with an impromptu stop at the Prince of Wales pub in Congleton.

He also visited Quarry Bank Mill and Congleton Town Hall on the same day, the latter of which he was accompanied by the then Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Camilla.