If someone is undergoing serious long-term treatment for health issues, most people would be working remotely, laying low from public events and even taking some time off work. For King Charles, who announced his battle with cancer earlier this year, there’s only so much time away he can take. After all, he is the King.
But, during an event on April 8, which Charles was supposed to attend, he called in for replacements and seemingly got some much-needed rest. The 120th Anniversary Celebration Parade of The Entente Cordiale was instead attended by Charles’ younger brother Prince Edward and his wife Princess Sophie.
During the ceremony, which lasted only a reported 15 minutes, per Us Weekly, the royal couple inspected troops and saw the Changing of the Guard alongside the French Ambassador to the UK, Hélène Duchêne.
For the occasion, Edward wore a sharp navy pinstripe suit with a light blue button-down and a red and blue tie. Sophie then matched her husband’s blue hues with a baby blue dress paired with a beige trench coat on top.
Before Edward and Sophie stepped in for Charles, critics already indicated how they might have a rising role in the British Royal Family. After all, besides Prince William and Kate Middleton (who has also been recently diagnosed with cancer), the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are the only senior royals who are under the age of 60.
Below them, there’s a huge jump down to Prince George, 10, who won’t be attending royal events alone anytime soon.
According to Jenni Russell at The Times, this shows that Charles’ goal for a “slimmed-down monarchy” plan has failed. Per Russell, having fewer working royals, especially those in their upper years of life, only makes the family look “fragile and thinned out.”
Knowing now that Charles and Middleton will be taking more time off for treatment and recovery, we can’t help but agree.