(CNN) — In the past 24 hours, there have been concerns in England after it was revealed that health problems have forced two of the most senior members of the royal family out of the public eye.
King Charles will undergo an enlarged prostate repair procedure next week, while his niece Kate remains in hospital following successful stomach surgery. William would take a step back from his duties to support his wife.
Ads dominated UK newspapers on Thursday with headlines such as “Pray both are well”. Daily Mail and “Royals rocked by Kate's operation” on the cover the sun.
Wednesday's announcement about the 75-year-old British monarch's health comes as he is expected to return to his Dumfries home in Scotland for a series of engagements in the coming days, a royal source said.
Those events have now been delayed on the advice of the king's doctors. According to the source, the palace did not want guests, including foreign dignitaries and cabinet members, to travel when not required, so a brief statement was issued.
Britain's King Charles III arrives for the royal family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on Sandringham Estate in eastern England on December 25. (Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)
In general, the palace does not like to reveal details about the specific health conditions of the Windsor family. It's not that they're being cautious and deceptive, but helpers believe that the family has the same right to patient confidentiality as anyone else. And when they are hospitalized, the palace has a duty to inform the public.
However, in this case, the palace highlighted in its three-line statement that Charles' condition was “common to thousands of men every year”. Plus, a royal source told Us, the monarch is willing to share her diagnosis because it will encourage other men to get tested.
With King's operation, some have naturally wondered what will happen in his absence. No senior royals are expected to replace Charles next week, a royal source said.
Currently, Princes William, Harry, Andrew and Edward and Princess Anne are able to fulfill Charles' duties in his absence.
The news of Charles' treatment came as a surprise to many when Kensington Palace separately announced 90 minutes earlier that Kate would be in hospital for an extended stay.
The Princess of Wales, pictured at a state party in November 2022, is expected to stay in hospital for up to two weeks. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
While the king is expected to delay his diary for only a short time while he recovers, Kate will be out of action for significantly longer. “Based on current medical advice, he is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter,” Kensington Palace said.
CNN royal historian Kate Williams notes that the Princess of Wales was seen with family in Sandringham on Christmas and has been innocent of many public engagements.
“She was very busy in December. “She had a carol service and she was doing all kinds of commitments to her Royal Early Childhood Foundation, so I think there will be a lot of commitments that have to be postponed now,” Williams added.
But after that she was not seen in public. With Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis resuming school last week, if the royal family doesn't make its announcement this week, it's time for the public to be aware of Catherine's absence.
Spending several months at home in Windsor will be a very different change for the mother of three, who is known for being an active mother and very involved in her children's schools. Her public engagements—she did more than 120 last year—fit her schedule at home.
Another royal source said her husband, Prince William, will take care of the baby and stay by her side during her recovery. This means that William will not perform any official duties while he is in the hospital or when he comes home.
When the couple started a family, they wanted to ensure that their children received as normal an education as possible. They don't have live-in staff or babysitters and prefer to handle school pick-up themselves. That doesn't mean they don't have support. Kate's parents live nearby and could always rely on the staff at Windsor Castle, but preferred to do it themselves.
The Gate in Marseille is host to the England Rugby Union during the Rugby World Cup in September. (Dan Mullen/Getty Images)
The couple canceled all future travel. William and Kate usually travel at the start of the year, but will now also miss out on a long-awaited international spring tour.
The palace's statement means it won't be on its schedule until after Easter, missing a number of high-profile events including the British Academy Film Awards (usually given by Prince William as he is president of the academy) and the annual Commonwealth. Day service at Westminster Abbey.
Kate holds the rank of honorary colonel of the Irish Guards, but the forecast suggests she will be forced to forgo St Patrick's Day celebrations with the regiment. He is also the patron saint of English rugby but will miss out on any appearance in the Six Nations starting in early February.
The news about the princess' medical procedure came as a surprise, but the source clarified that it was not related to cancer.
With all this in mind, the monarchy still needs a royal audience, and that comes in the form of Queen Camilla. Princess Anna, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie will, of course, continue to have their own duties and responsibilities, but they do not carry the same weight as the eldest in the family.
The company will be keen to reassure Brits that nothing has happened, and expect Camilla to be out of the house next week.
In the coming weeks, King Charles will continue to manage the affairs of the monarchy behind the scenes, keeping the Princes of Wales informed and providing advice as needed. But it is Camilla who takes a step into the void.
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