After King Charles's cancer diagnosis, palace and government can point to laws as evidence the well-oiled machinery of monarchy will continue to whirr efficiently in the background as the king retreats for treatment.
Dusty statutes and traditions, however, cannot legislate for the visceral reality that events this week have exposed not only the physical fragility of the king, but also of the current state of the House of Windsor. Charles, figurehead and focal point of the royal family, will be unseen, and for how long is not known. The Prince of Wales, as heir, will be expected to step up. But his wife is still recuperating from abdominal surgery, his children are young and, aides have made very clear, they are absolutely his priority.
"It's a difficult situation, particularly so early in the reign.
The fact the Prince of Wales is also more or less out of the equation at the moment does most definitely expose the fragility of the monarchy. Hopefully that is something that will be addressed," said Joe Little, of Majesty Magazine.
Despite the keep-calm-andcarry-on message from the palace, the language does betray uncertainty. Aides speak of the king "hoping" to continue with select meetings in private, of its being "too early" to know when he will resume full public duties, and counsellors of state "not expected" to be necessary to stand in.
For Charles it is the latest in a series of blows. "On a personal level it's been incredibly tough with all the family situations going on. The loss of both parents, the loss, in a manner of speaking, of his younger son, will have been devastating.
But it could be that King Charles III is able to cope in the same way that his mother could cope, that she could compartmentalise these issues," said Little.
Denne historien er fra February 10, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra February 10, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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