how the British monarchy will reorganize itself after the announcement of the king’s illness

The “form of cancer” diagnosed to the sovereign forces Buckingham Palace to adapt. The king will have to cancel certain commitments, while Queen Consort Camilla and Prince William will take over his interim role.

The health problems of Charles III, who was diagnosed “a form of cancer”, forces the British monarchy to reorganize itself. The king, already operated on at the end of January, “for an enlarged prostate”and on rest since, will be absent longer than expected. The king began Monday February 5 “a program of regular treatments, during which doctors advised him to postpone his public activities”, according to Buckingham Palace. Once the shock has passed, as mentioned in the British press, the Crown must ensure that its obligations are carried out properly.

The king, aged 75, also made a point of apologizing “to all those who would be disappointed or inconvenienced as a result” of its withdrawal. Since succeeding his mother 17 months ago, Charles III had been very active, particularly on the diplomatic front. He received various visiting heads of state, traveled to Germany, France and Kenya, and gave a speech at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai (United Arab Emirates). However, there are no immediate plans for him to hand over the reins, as he will however continue “to take care of state affairs and administrative tasks as usual”.

Queen Camilla and Prince William on the front line

If he is not supposed to intervene in the political debate, the king must be able to promulgate laws, appoint a Prime Minister, or even open parliamentary sessions. Every morning, he will continue to receive his famous “red box”, which contains official documents, and to hold meetings with his advisors.

He will meet weekly with the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. “I am of course in regular contact with [Charles III] and I will continue to communicate with him as usual”, confirmed to the BBC the Prime Minister, who was delighted with the rapid detection of the cancer. Royal family biographer Robert Hardman told the BBC that “the day-to-day functioning of the monarchy will not change”.

“This does not prevent things from being done, there is no constitutional concern.”

Robert Hardman, royal family biographer

at the BBC

For the rest of his obligations, the king can obviously count on his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, to assist him. “In Camilla We Trust” (“We trust Camilla”), even displays the tabloid The Mirror, which highlights the one who “now leads the ‘Firm'”in reference to the nickname of the royal family. “She is obliged to be on all fronts: visiting hospitals, nurseries, retirement homes, inaugurating plaques and hedges, cutting ribbons”lists on franceinfo Stéphane Bern, journalist specializing in royal families.

The heir to the throne, Prince William, 41, will also return to the light after being at the bedside of his wife Kate, who had abdominal surgery in mid-January. His return is planned for Wednesday with a decoration ceremony in Windsor then at a charity gala in London. In the event of the king’s incapacity, it is the prince who is supposed to act in the interim, in particular the “great moments when the monarchy must be embodied, during ceremonies and commemorations”explains Laëtitia Langlois, Laetitia Langloislecturer in British civilization, At Parisian. We still do not know the duration of the king’s unavailability, but Charles III is supposed to attend the 80th anniversary of the landing in Normandy, in June.

The British monarchy “lacks manpower”

The other members of the royal family will also be involved. A day after her brother’s cancer news, Princess Anne is traveling for a number of royal engagements, Sky News reports. Already in the final days of Elizabeth II’s reign, the Queen’s children and grandchildren had taken on a greater number of royal engagements, in place of the sovereign whose health was declining.

But now, the state of health of Charles III highlights that the royal family “lack of labor, believes Stéphane Bern, (…) to respond to all requests for sponsorship, patronage and all official ceremonies”. Princess Kate’s health problems, the sidelining of Prince Andrew after the Epstein affair, as well as the estrangement between the king and his junior, Prince Harry, leave few options. “In a desire for transparency, cost reduction and efficiency of the monarchy”wanted “bringing the family together around a hard core”, observes Stéphane Bern. The rest of the available family is too young.

“As a result of having pruned the collateral branches of the family tree, only the trunk remains. And the trunk is a little in poor health, to use a very royal image.”

Stéphane Bern, journalist specializing in royal families

at franceinfo

If Charles III is no longer able to work temporarily, those appointed as Councilors of State will be able to exercise power in his place, under the Regency Act of 1937. In addition to Camilla and Prince William, Prince Harry , Prince Andrew and his daughter, Princess Beatrice, could carry out his duties. Since December 2022, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and Princess Anne, brother and sister of Charles, have also been Councilors of State.

In the event of a worsening of Charles III’s health, it is the heir, William, who will have to “assume the functions on an interim basis, without any legal consequences on his status”explained Marc Roche, royal biographer and author of the book The Borgias at BuckinghamAt Figaro. In the event of total incapacity, a regency would be voted by Parliament and “assured by the Prince of Wales, as number two in the line of succession”, continued Marc Roche. Finally, if Charles III died, his eldest son would accede to the throne. William and Kate’s children, George (10), Charlotte (8), Louis (5), are next in the line of succession. Next comes Prince Harry, then his two children, Archie and Lilibet.