ROYAL RECOVERY CRISIS

The palace fears the King's monarchy money saver is taking a toll on his over-stretched family

The health crises that have rocked the royal family over the past couple of weeks have hammered home the fact that despite their privilege and wealth, they are also vulnerable to things going wrong.

And the shock news that both the King and the Princess of Wales have needed surgery for medical issues has also raised concerns about the wisdom of having a slimmed-down monarchy.

With the sovereign and the most popular royal out of action along with Kate's husband Prince William, who has stepped back from official duties to help care for her and their three children - the UK's first family has been seriously depleted.

While the King, 75, is only expected to be laid low for a short time by the procedure he's had for an enlarged prostate, the abdominal surgery Kate, 42, has undergone is clearly more serious. It is due to keep her in hospital for up to two weeks and she's unlikely to return to work until after Easter - almost three months away.

Normally William, 41, would have been able to cover for his father and his wife, but he's decided to prioritise Kate's welfare, and to be on hand for Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, while their mum is recovering.

Royal experts say having three senior members of the family absent from the public stage at the same time is alarming and should be forcing courtiers to investigate the ability of the House of Windsor to function properly when it is hit by unforeseen setbacks like this. Royal writer Richard Kay says the current health blows have exposed the consequences of having a monarchy that essentially operates with a skeleton staff.

"Shorn of dependable figures, even for a short time, they reveal just how empty the royal cupboard is," he points out. "For decades the royals glided serenely through many a difficulty because there were enough of them to deploy. If one family member was indisposed, another would seamlessly step in.