Could the Prince and Princess of Wales be key to saving a monarchy plagued by a health crisis? Some royal experts seem to think so.
King Charles III, who once expressed his desire for a slimmed-down monarchy, has witnessed several key members of the royal family become sidelined.
Both he and Kate Middleton are battling cancer, and his sister, Princess Anne, recognized as his right-hand woman, has been hospitalized for a concussion.
The Prince and Princess of Wales smiling and admiring each other on the palace balcony with their three children.
The Princess of Wales put on a brave face for Trooping the Colour June 15. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Prince Andrew has been keeping a low profile since his scandal involving Jeffrey Epstein resulted in a nuclear interview in 2019, while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to live in California after making their exit in 2020.
“William and Kate, far and away the most beloved members of the royal family, really are the pillars on which the future of the monarchy rests,” Christopher Andersen, author of “The King,” told Fox News Digital.
“If either one of them starts to wobble, the whole thing can come crashing down. At the moment, Kate is at her most vulnerable. The ground beneath Kate is shifting in major ways. Only time can tell if she can stand strong.”
Prince William in a dark blazer and light blue shirt looking serious as he sits next to Kate Middleton wearing a pink blouse.
Royal author and Vanity Fair correspondent Katie Nicholl claimed the palace didn’t have a game plan to address the health woes of several senior members, including Kate Middleton. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Royal author Katie Nicholl recently wrote in Vanity Fair that the palace “did not have a game plan,” following the devastating dual cancer diagnosis for the king, 75, and his daughter-in-law, 42.
“This was not a public scandal or a crisis like an abdication,” Nicholl wrote. “Nevertheless, it forced a rethink for Charles in terms of his slimmed-down monarchy and how best to serve the people. The mighty House of Windsor, which not long ago had the world’s longest-reigning monarch at its helm, suddenly seemed very vulnerable.”
Andersen pointed out that both the king and his elder son William were in full support of a slimmed-down monarchy, one in which only a select group of senior royals would be fulfilling duties for the crown. But after Anne “joined the ranks of stricken senior royals,” it made the palace rethink the strategy.
Prince William, Prince of Wales, wearing a recycled tie, takes a tour of the Innovation Showcase at the Breakthrough Energy Summit on June 27, 2024, in London. (Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Andersen believes all eyes are on William even more now as heir to the throne. As for Kate, everyone seems to be waiting with bated breath for her official return to public life.
Kate Middleton in a red cape and a matching hat standing next to Prince William in a dark suit and red tie.
Prince William, the elder son of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, is heir to the British throne. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
“The simple truth is that the royal family cannot be whittled down to a precious few without the risk of having it grind to a halt altogether,” Andersen explained. “For over 70 years, the Windsors had longevity on their side – almost to a ridiculous extent. Queen Elizabeth II lived to be 96, and her husband Prince Philip was 99, the longest-living royal male in history.
“The Queen Mother was downing her favorite gin and Dubonnets right up until the end at the astounding age of 101. There seemed to be no need for redundancy, with senior royals seeming practically immortal and three generations of future monarchs … waiting in the wings.”
Queen Elizabeth II, England’s longest-reigning monarch, died in 2022. She was 96. Prince William is heir to the British throne. (Geoff Pugh/Getty Images)
“It’s hard to blame palace officials for not having a plan in place to cope with the simultaneous cancer diagnoses of King Charles and Princess Kate, much less the sidelining of such a valuable supporting player as the Princess Royal,” Andersen continued. “The home team is running out of options.”
British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that once Kate is fully recovered and ready to go back to work, the public will feel more at ease about the monarchy’s future again.
“The enigmatic and elegant Princess of Wales is integral to the future of the monarchy,” she said. “Everyone is wishing her a full recovery. She just needs a few more months of cancer treatment and peace to get fully fit and well. When she is back to regular work, we will have forgotten about health battles and the fragile monarchy narrative.”