CBC News has learned that plans for King Charles III's first visit to Canada as head of state have been suspended after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Although Buckingham Palace never officially confirmed the visit, Canadian government sources told CBC News that King Charles III and Queen Camilla were scheduled to visit the country in May 2024. British media also reported news of the planned visit.

Earlier this month, Buckingham Palace said the medical team discovered a type of cancer when the 75-year-old king underwent surgery in hospital for benign prostatic hyperplasia, and that he had begun a schedule of regular treatments.

The palace did not specify the type of cancer found or the treatment the king is receiving in the statement, adding that the king "remains entirely positive about the treatment he has received and looks forward to returning to full public service as soon as possible.

In response to an access to information request submitted by CBC News, a Canadian official wrote that "following the announcement of His Majesty the King’s cancer diagnosis, there are no further planned tours to Canada in 2024, nor are there any planned tours with other countries for members of the royal family."

Unnamed sources who spoke to CBC News said the planning for the royal visit has been postponed.

Royal commentator and author Victoria Murphy said that as no public tours have been announced, the royal family would not have to cancel anything publicly.

Speaking in an interview with CBC News on Monday, she said: "There’s no doubt that things in behind-the-scenes planning discussions have now been temporarily halted because of this diagnosis."

The king, who was crowned last May, has not traveled to many Commonwealth countries since his coronation.

As king, he traveled to Germany, Romania, France, Kenya, and recently to the United Arab Emirates to attend the 2023 United Nations Climate Change conference.

Murphy said: "I was expecting the king this year, under ordinary circumstances, to have quite a few overseas trips," "Everything has changed now because of this diagnosis."

His last trip to Canada was in May 2022, when he visited Newfoundland, Ottawa, and the Northwest Territories. During that visit, RoseAnne Archibald, then National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, asked the king to apologize for the "ongoing Crown failure to meet treaty agreements" with Indigenous peoples.

Archibald told reporters that Charles listened to the request and was "very sympathetic."

Canada divided over severing ties with the Crown

A poll conducted shortly before the king’s coronation showed Canadians are divided over whether the country should remain linked to the Crown.

A Leger poll of 1,544 Canadians found that 56% of participants agreed that the country should "reconsider its relationship" with the monarchy now that there is a new monarch.

It also found that 67% of participants felt "indifferent" toward Charles’s new role. Only 12% said it was "good news."

About 80% of participants said they were not "personally attached" to the monarchy.

Any changes in Canada’s relationship with the monarchy would require unanimous decision from the provinces, the House of Commons, and the Senate – and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said there is no appetite for discussion about abolishing the monarchy.