Prince William visits the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards at the St Davids Day Parade on March 1, 2023 in Windsor, England.Photo:Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage
King Charleswill visit the hospital next week to treat anenlarged prostate, butPrince Williamwon’t be tapped for additional duties during that time as heir to the throne.
Buckingham Palace announced the news about the King’s health in a statement on Wednesday, which mentioned that the King’s public engagements “will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.” However, a royal sourcetells PEOPLEthat King Charles will be capable of fulfilling his constitutional requirements and duties during this time.
Prince William, 41, is the Prince of Wales, heir to the throne, aCounsellor of Stateand the regent of his father’s reign. The regent is the heir to the throne unless they have not yet turned 18, theHouse of Commons Libraryreport on Regency and Counsellors of State outlines.
“In a regency, a ‘regent’ is appointed to act on the monarch’s behalf,” it states. “A regency applies if a monarch succeeds to the throne before the age of 18, or if a monarch becomes permanently incapacitated due to ‘infirmity of mind or body.’ ”
Prince William and King Charles during the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph on November 12, 2023 in London.Samir Hussein/WireImage
While a regent would be instated permanently, the British sovereign can also call on their Counsellors of State. The Counsellors of State can act on the monarch’s behalf through the Letters Patent in the event of temporary incapacity or absence from the U.K.
It’s unlikely that Prince William or any other royal family members will need to step up in any special way when King Charles seeks treatment next week.
King Charles and Queen Camilla lead the charge during the royal family’s walk to church on Christmas at Sandringham in December 2023.Samir Hussein/WireImage
“In common with thousands of men each year, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate. His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure,” said the palace statement. “The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.”
It’s understood that the King wanted to share his diagnosis to encourage men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked, andQueen Camillabrieflyspoke abouther husband’s health on Thursday.
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“He’s fine, thank you very much. Looking forward to getting back to work,” Queen Camilla said during a stop at the Aberdeen Art Gallery in Scotland when someone asked how the King was.
The news on King Charles’ prostate treatment was announced shortly after Kensington Palace shared thatKate Middletonhad"planned abdominal surgery"at The London Clinic on Tuesday. Kensington Palace said that the princess is expected to remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days before heading home to recover and is “unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter." PEOPLE understands that the issue is non-cancerous and that William will be there to support his wife during this time.
On Thursday, Prince William wasseen leavingthe private London Clinic around 12:35 p.m. local time.
“He is understood to be planning to spend as much time as possible with the Princess as she recuperates, balancing daytime visits with caring for their three children at home in Windsor,”The Telegraphreported on Thursday. “The Prince drove himself to the hospital and is expected to pick his children up from school later today as usual.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales sharePrince George, 10,Princess Charlotte, 8, andPrince Louis, 5, and the Kensington Palace statement about Princess Kate said that she wants to “maintain as much normalityfor her children as possible” during this time.
source: people.com
