Queen Camilla’s son said his mother is “tough” and could handle whatever comes her way.

The couple embark on a royal tour next month (Image: Getty)

Queen Camilla’s son, Tom Barker-Bowles has opened up about how his mother is coping in the months since King Charles received his cancer diagnosis.

Tom also gave a brief health update on King Charles as he travels the country promoting his new cookery book, Cooking and The Crown.

The food critic and writer said His Majesty’s “treatment is going well” and spoke about how his mother was coping with the diagnosis.

The King began treatment for cancer in January and has been resting in Balmoral Place with the Queen Consort. Asked about how his mother is doing, Tom said she had thick skin, saying: “She’s tough, my mother”.

Despite the diagnosis earlier this year, the King has been receiving outpatient care and appears to be on the mend. A source close to the Royal family has indicated that Charles’s health is “heading in a positive trajectory”.

The King’s positive health news comes at a good time as he is ready to embark on a royal tour of Samoa and Australia next month.

Charles and Camilla will arrive in Australia on October 18 and will spend six days in the country before flying to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

It will be the most extensive royal trip for the 75-year-old monarch since he took over but rest days will be added in between.

Buckingham Palace has commented on the planning of the trip, stating: “We’ve had to, as you would with any visit, think about how you can ensure Their Majesties energies are preserved to be at their best.”

The Australia and Samoa tour will be the King’s most extensive yet (Image: Getty

The schedule Down Under encompasses just three days of engagements to allow sufficient time for the King to rest.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “We’ve had to, as you would with any visit, think about how you can ensure Their Majesties energies are preserved to be at their best.

“There had been some hope earlier in the year for Their Majesties to be able to visit New Zealand and on doctors’ advice that unfortunately wasn’t able to take place. We’ve had to make some tough decisions with the Australian Government where [Their Majesties] can get to.”