Charles III left the London Infirmary in London, England on January 29, 2024.
Kar-wai Tan/Wire Images/Getty Images
- King Charles III has retired from public life to undergo treatment for cancer. What does this mean for the British monarchy?
- Buckingham Palace said Prince Charles “will continue to engage in state affairs and government affairs as normal” while undergoing treatment.
- His duties are ceremonial in nature and he is not supposed to intervene in political discussions.
King Charles III has retired from public life to undergo treatment for cancer. What does this mean for the British monarchy?
What was the role of Charles III?
Charles is the head of state not only for the United Kingdom but also for 14 Commonwealth countries, from Canada to Australia to Jamaica.
His duties are ceremonial in nature and he is not supposed to intervene in political discussions. However, he is required to carry out public duties such as enacting British law, appointing the prime minister, and opening parliament.
Since ascending the throne 17 months ago, Prince Charles, 75, has also been enthusiastically engaged in diplomatic missions.
He has visited heads of state, visited Germany, France and Kenya, and spoken at the COP28 climate change conference.
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William and Camilla take control
Many British people see the royal family traveling across the country hundreds of times each year for associations, public events and inauguration ceremonies.
They also support initiatives for the homeless and encourage reading and conservation.
Prince Charles has been particularly active since becoming monarch, and even before he took over as Queen Elizabeth II's successor due to poor health in his later years before his death in September 2022. continues.
His absence while he was resting after undergoing prostate surgery in January has put even more attention on his wife, Queen Camilla.
Duchess Camilla, 76, has maintained an active schedule even after the King's recent cancer diagnosis.
As his successor, William, 41, will be at the forefront of royal duties.
However, his widely popular wife Kate underwent abdominal surgery in mid-January, which will keep him out of action until at least the end of March.
William stepped aside to stay by Kate's side and take care of their three children.
His return home is scheduled for Wednesday, when an awards ceremony and charity gala will be held.
According to British media, he will take over some of his father's responsibilities.
The simultaneous absence of two “royals” highlights the decline in the number of active members of the monarchy following the disgraced departure of Prince Andrew.
The king's younger brother attracted damaging headlines over his friendship with the late US sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Meanwhile, Charles' second son Harry is estranged from his family.
Read more | King Charles makes first public appearance since cancer diagnosis after Prince Harry arrives in London
Charles continues to manage 'national affairs' behind the scenes
Buckingham Palace said Prince Charles “will continue to engage in state affairs and government affairs as normal” while undergoing treatment.
prime minister Rishi Sunak, who speaks to the king once a week, has already said communication with the king will continue as normal.
According to British media, the king will continue to receive his famous “red box” containing official documents every morning and meet with his advisers.
They can also hold video conferences, as the Queen did during the coronavirus pandemic.
Royal biographer Robert Hardman told the BBC that although the king will be distancing himself from the public to protect his health, “the day-to-day working of the royal family will not change.”
“It's not a deterrent to action. There's no constitutional concern,” he said.
And what if the king can no longer work?
The monarch could be replaced by two “counselors of state” drawn from a list that includes the queen, her successor, and certain family members, such as her sister Anne and her brother Edward.
The royal family told parliament in late 2022 that “only active members” could serve as “de facto” advisers of state, effectively eliminating Prince Harry and Prince Andrew.