Charles and Kate on “sick leave”: who will take over for the royals?

King Charles III is currently recovering at home following his prostate operation – and will not attend public appointments once more until March. His daughter-in-law Princess Kate (42) will be out for months following major abdominal surgery. Her husband, heir to the throne Prince William (41), is also taking a step back in order to take care of their three children and his wife, who was released from the hospital last Monday and still needs a lot of rest at home.

Queen Camilla at a reception at Windsor Castle on Tuesday
Bild: APA/AFP/POOL/KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH

King Charles is said to have appointed senior family members as his representatives while he is “sick”. Charles’ wife Queen Camilla (76), his brother Prince Edward (59) and his sister Princess Anne (73) might take on appointments. Charles’ second brother Prince Andrew (63) and his second son Prince Harry (39) are also basically on the list, but do not take on any public tasks – they are no longer “working royals”.

Charles and Kate in
Prince Edward takes on many appointments in Great Britain.
Image: APA/AFP/POOL/PETER NICHOLLS

Harry and his wife Duchess Meghan (42) broke away from the royal family and left the country; Andrew was forced to withdraw due to his involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein abuse scandal. It is assumed that Edward and Anne would take over if necessary, especially if William was with his wife.

Charles and Kate in
Edward’s wife Sophie is also on duty.
Image: APA/AFP/POOL/JANE BARLOW

Who is the hardest working royal?

While Princess Anne has often been described as the hardest-working royal in the past, according to the Mirror, she is not at the top.

The title of hardest-working royal of the past decade goes to the king himself, according to data compiled by royal observer Tim O’Donovan for the Times. Accordingly, King Charles has carried out 4,854 official engagements in the past ten years, most of them during his time as Prince of Wales. Close behind is his younger sister Princess Anne with 4,693 appointments, followed by Prince Edward, 59, with 3,155 visits. Despite her poor health, Queen Elizabeth, who died in September 2022, had an impressive 2,721 missions on behalf of the Crown over the past ten years, making her the fourth busiest.

Charles and Kate in
Princess Anne was on a state visit to Sri Lanka for three days in mid-January.
Bild: APA/AFP/ISHARA S. KODIKARA

Speculation regarding Kate

Because the palace does not reveal the reason for Princess Kate’s operation, the rumor mill in Great Britain is simmering. The British press has so far ruled out cancer. Diagnoses such as Crohn’s disease, polyps, colon removal or rectal prolapse are all over the British press.

Where the rumors come from is unclear. There has also been recent speculation regarding gallstones, an appendectomy and removal of the uterus.

Still others suspect pregnancy and the associated sewing of the cervix to prevent a miscarriage. After all, Kate is said to have repeatedly mentioned wanting a fourth child.

Author

Barbara Rohrhofer

Head of Life and Health Editorial Team

Barbara Rohrhofer

Barbara Rohrhofer

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