King Charles and Queen Camilla's Upcoming Tour Won't Use This Royal Word — Inside Why

"Walkabouts" won't technically be on the schedule, but will proceed under another name

King Charles and Queen Camilla won't call meeting well-wishers "walkabouts" when they tour Australia and Samoa in a show of sensitivity towards indigenous groups there.

On Sept. 10, Buckingham Palace released new details about the King and Queen's trip in October. The tour is especially significant, as it marks the sovereign's first tour to Commonwealth countries since his accession and is planned as he continues treatment for cancer. Following the announcement, The Telegraph reported that the term "walkabout" will not be used during the royal tour and will be "deliberately avoided" during such an event for the first time ever because of another meaning.

"While the term has become a shorthand for a member of the royal family meeting and greeting well-wishers, it is used in Aboriginal culture to mean when a person travels on foot into the bush in times of ritual, meditation, change, grief or coming of age," The Telegraph reported. According to the outlet, the switch is a gesture of respect towards Australia's indigenous communities.

Instead, the palace will reportedly trade the phrase for an "opportunity to meet the public."

Related: King Charles to Meet Australian Cancer Researchers in First Major Tour Since His Diagnosis

Walkabouts are a key way for members of the royal family to directly connect with the public both at home and abroad, and originate organically when people come out to see members of the family. The late Queen Elizabeth is informally credited as the inventor of the walkabout, which originated when she decided to greet people on foot (instead of simply driving by car) during a tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1970. Walkabouts were instantly a hit, and the royal family has employed them ever since.

On Easter earlier this year, King Charles took part in a surprise walkabout when he went to say hello to well-wishers outside St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. The move was unexpected because the monarch sat apart from the rest of the royal family and other attendees during the church service as a precautionary measure amid his ongoing cancer treatment.

At the time, the King was advised to limit the number of people he came in contact with amid his treatment after the palace announced in February he had cancer and would be postponing public-facing duties. The sovereign continued to work behind the scenes, resumed public royal work in late April and had a busy summer, making major engagements like a trip to France for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, appearing at Trooping the Colour and more.

When his return to public-facing work was announced in late April, the palace described the King's treatment as ongoing and shared a positive sentiment from his doctors.

"His Majesty’s treatment program will continue, but doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far that The King is now able to resume a number of public-facing duties. Forthcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary to minimize any risks to His Majesty’s continued recovery," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said at the time.

Related: Has King Charles Finished Cancer Treatment? Palace Answers Burning Questions About Monarch's Health

The palace didn’t disclose when the King’s treatment might be completed.

"It is too early to say, but His Majesty’s medical team are very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about The King’s continued recovery," said the spokesperson.

To that end, King Charles and Queen Camilla will not visit nearby New Zealand (another Commonwealth country) when they go to Australia and Samoa from Friday, Oct. 18 to Saturday, Oct. 26. When the tour was announced in July, a spokesperson said that a New Zealand leg was ruled out as "the King’s doctors have advised that such an extended program should be avoided at this time, to prioritize His Majesty’s continued recovery."

"In close consultation with the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers, and with due regard for the pressures of time and logistics, it has therefore been agreed to limit the visit to Samoa and Australia only," the spokesperson said.

Buckingham Palace added that the couple "send their warmest thanks and good wishes to all parties for their continued support and understanding."

While it was prefaced that the tour of Australia would be relatively limited compared to previous visits, the palace unveiled a busy rundown on Sept. 10 of what's to come. It was confirmed that the King and Queen would attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, verifying months of speculation around whether he would attend the summit in Samoa that starts on Oct. 21. The meeting is held biennially, and Charles is head of the Commonwealth, comprised of 56 nations.

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"The King’s visit to Australia will be His Majesty’s first to a Realm as Monarch, whilst the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa is the first The King will attend as Head of the Commonwealth," the palace said in the latest announcement. "In both countries, Their Majesties’ engagements will focus on themes designed to celebrate the best of Australia and Samoa, as well as reflecting aspects of The King and Queen’s work."

The itinerary includes a kickoff with the Australian prime minister, visit to the Australian War Memorial and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander memorial and, for the King, a meeting with two medical experts pioneering treatment for melanoma, one of Australia's most common cancers.

Other outings on the autumn tour will be a barbecue in Western Sydney, engagements for the Queen around her work on literacy and ending domestic violence, meetings for the King with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives and groups to learn more about their efforts strengthening community and culture and an ‘Ava Fa’atupu ceremony welcome in Samoa before CHOGM begins.

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