Prince William’s return to royal duties has come amidst a storm of family health issues, including King Charles III’s recent cancer diagnosis and Kate Middleton’s hospitalization for abdominal surgery.
The 41-year-old future king expressed his gratitude at a charity gala dinner, thanking the public for their “kind messages of support” during this challenging time. He also presided over an investiture at Windsor Castle earlier that day.
In a lighter moment, he commented, “The past few weeks have been, shall we say, medically focused, so I figured I’d come to an air ambulance function to escape it all.”
The queen, once an air ambulance helicopter pilot, attended the black-tie event. She interacted with fellow pilots and chatted with celebrities such as Tom Cruise.
King Charles, currently an outpatient, is undergoing treatment for an unspecified malignancy. The good news, according to oncologists, is that many patients can now achieve remission or complete eradication of their disease.
Meanwhile, Kate remains at home recovering from surgery for an undisclosed condition. William has taken a brief hiatus from public duties to care for their three young children. It may be April before the Princess of Wales, formerly known as Kate Middleton, can resume her public engagements.
Charles’ cancer diagnosis earlier this week has added to the royal family’s strain. The king has opted to step back from public appearances to focus on his recovery, although he continues with his administrative responsibilities like reviewing and signing state documents.
Sally Bedell Smith, author of “Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life,” noted, “His absence is putting a lot of pressure on the other members of the royal family, who are certainly up to it.” The Princess of Wales recovering from surgery only adds to the existing pressures.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to call the king on Wednesday night to extend his best wishes. Live audiences with the king are anticipated to resume later this month as he continues his recovery.
Timing couldn’t be worse for the House of Windsor. Just 17 months into his reign, King Charles has committed to cutting the monarchy’s costs, partly by reducing the number of “working royals” supported by taxpayer funds. With two key figures now sidelined due to health issues, maintaining this promise becomes even more challenging.
Beyond the grandiose royal processions and state visits, the Windsors attend numerous lesser-known events annually to honor public achievements and celebrate local milestones like the opening of libraries and community centers. Royal appearances are highly valued by hundreds of charities, as they draw attention and credibility, helping to attract potential donors.
The 75-year-old king was seen in public for the first time since his cancer diagnosis when he left Clarence House on Tuesday after a brief visit with his younger son, Prince Harry.
Prince Harry rushed to London from California within 24 hours of the king’s diagnosis announcement. This reunion has sparked hopes that they might mend their strained relationship, a relationship that has suffered after Harry’s public allegations of unconscious racism and complaints about how his biracial American wife, former actor Meghan Markle, was treated by palace officials.
Once considered bright stars capable of connecting the Windsors with a younger audience, Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal roles in 2020 and now reside in California.
