2024-01-18 10:12:26
Kate Middleton was hospitalized on Tuesday for an abdominal operation while Charles III will be hospitalized next week due to a “benign” enlarged prostate.
Worrying news about the state of health of members of the British royal family continues. An hour apart, this Wednesday, January 17, Kensington Palace announced that the Princess of Wales was hospitalized on Tuesdaythen Buckingham Palace informed that King Charles III was going to be hospitalized next week.
Kate Middleton has indeed undergone surgery “scheduled» to the abdomen in the London Clinic on Tuesday. No indication has been provided on the reasons for this hospitalization but, according to several British media, Kate would not suffer from cancer. However, the BBC is worried about his state of health, which would be “serious enough to keep her in the hospital for up to two weeks“. Kensington Palace has also indicated that the Princess of Wales will not return to her royal duties before Easter. “It is clear from the length of time Catherine is expected to remain in hospital and the tone of the statement issued by the Palace that her condition is serious.», Continues the British media.
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King Charles III must be hospitalized next week due to hypertrophy.benign» of the prostate, said Buckingham Palace. “Like thousands of men each year (…) what His Majesty suffers from is benign. He will go to the hospital next week for a corrective procedure», It is specified in the brief press release. “The king’s public engagements will be postponed for a short recovery period», continues the text.
Faced with these two concomitant royal absences, a question arises: who will ensure their public commitments while waiting for them to resume their functions? Le Figaro takes stock of the functioning of the British monarchy in this scenario.
The king remains “conscious”
«When the king is unable to exercise his functions, it is the heir, William, who must assume the functions on an interim basis, without any legal consequences on his status.», explains Marc Roche, royal biographer and author of the work The Borgias at Buckingham. However, after the announcement of the princess’s hospitalization, the Prince of Wales also reported, “a certain number of her commitments to take care of her three children», report Guardian . «It is understood that he will not undertake official duties while his wife is in hospital or immediately upon her return home», specifies the newspaper.
However, in the event of an emergency,William has enough nanny to replace him with his children», explains Marc Roche. Especially since according to the biographer, King Charles III is not in a situation of total incapacity to exercise his functions, because “he remains conscious».
What about Kate Middleton’s commitments that she won’t be able to fulfill between now and Easter? “The Princess of Wales has no other role than that of being princess and wife of the Prince of Wales», notes Marc Roche.
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«Working royals»
As for Charles III, he is in charge “of the armies, the Anglican Church and the philanthropic movement”, recalls the specialist. The British sovereign also meets the Prime Minister once a week. If he becomes ill, adaptations can be made. “The face-to-face meeting with the Prime Minister can be done remotely or can simply be postponed», explains Marc Roche.
Philanthropic functions are nevertheless considered “the true pillar of royal power and essential in the daily life of the British“. If the king is unable to ensure such a commitment, it is the “working royals» who take over. And they can take on this role for any sick family member, including Kate. These are senior members of the crown who carry out official duties and commitments on behalf of the royal family. We speak then “of Princess Anne, the Duke of Edinburgh, Edward, and his wife Sophie. But also, when necessary, other minor members such as the Duke of Gloucester or Kent», Details the biographer.
An organized monarchy
«IThere is never a vacuum of power» under the British monarchy, also points out Marc Roche. It is also very rare for the king to be in “permanent disability» to exercise his functions. But if such a situation occurs, the monarchy is well prepared. In this case, “Parliament would vote for the establishment of a regency», explains Marc Roche. “This regency is then ensured by the Prince of Wales, as number two in the list of succession. If he too is unable, it would be up to George, his son, to ensure the regency.»
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It is also important to remember that behind the scenes, “the real royal power is not exercised by the king, but by his private secretary (his private secretary, Editor’s note)», underlines Marc Roche.
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