HELPING HAND
Five royals who could step in for Charles if he’s too ill for official duties
Two who are officially on the list have been snubbed
THERE are five royals who could step in for King Charles if he becomes too ill for official duties.
Buckingham Palace announced on Monday that the monarch, 75, has been diagnosed with cancer after an already tumultuous 18 months.
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Further tests during his recent hospital stay detected the disease and have since forced him to take time off from attending public-facing royal engagements.
The palace revealed in a statement that while undergoing surgery for an enlarged prostate, the unspecified cancer was found.
Despite the shock finding, friends and family of the King say his spirits remain high as he fights this latest health battle.
It is understood Charles returned from Sandringham to London on Monday to commence treatment as an out-patient with Camilla, 76, by his side.
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While Charles takes a step back, Prince William, 41, and the Queen are set to share the "weight" of his duties.
All other working members of the Royal Family are understood to be continuing with public engagements in his absence.
And as Charles' loved ones rally around him, there are five in particular that are ready and waiting to take on his role.
The Firm members named as counsellors of state - meaning if Charles was ever unwell or abroad, they could be picked to carry out duties on his behalf - are Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice.
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However, provisions have since been made to ensure neither Harry or Andrew can act as substitutes.
While the Dukes are still on the list, a sneaky clause put forward by Charles when he ascended the throne now means only working royals can take on the responsibility.
As the bill passed through the Commons and House of Lords, it was argued Harry and Andrew should be stripped as counsellors entirely.
But the royal household had confirmed that in practice only “working members of the royal family will be called on to act as counsellors of state", it was heard.
Charles added Princess Anne and Prince Edward to the list during the change too so they could help Camilla and William if needed.
Despite Beatrice being on the list, she can't act in the position because she is not a working royal.
Prince Harry this afternoon landed at Heathrow Airport from California.
It will be the first time the Duke of Sussex has seen his dad in 16 months - as they put their rift aside.
A convoy of two black SUVs took the prince from the airport's VIP Windsor Suite to Clarence House.
Royal expert says the Firm will be anxious about seeing Harry
Angela Levin said the "door is always open" for Charles, but William will take some convincing when it comes to building bridges with the Duke of Sussex.
She said: "I think the two brothers are the most difficult when it comes to the feud being squashed.
"William is absolutely furious with Harry and won’t forgive him particularly for how rude he’s been about Catherine.
"He used to say she was like the sister he had always hoped for.
"Catherine has been recovering from a major operation. I think William will be icy cold, it’s very hard for him because he has a lot on his plate.
"He’ll be taking on engagements and making sure Catherine is ok.
"I don’t think he will have much patience for Harry, it’s gone on for so long.
"I think if Harry is lucky, he’ll get a civil conversation of ‘Hi, how are you? Bye'."
"William will be very anxious that whatever he says to Harry, he will sell.
"He’s put himself in a position that you can’t trust him.
"My guess is that the family feel cautious about him coming.
"After four years of rudeness and untruths most of the time, it’s very difficult to suddenly change."
Angela said Harry rushing back to the UK unfortunately doesn't show his want to mend broken relationships with loved ones - but there is some "warm feeling deep down".
She added: "I think he’s come back because he knows if he doesn’t he’d get such a terrible reaction.
"Deep down there must be something that warms toward his father.
"But I fear he would bring up Meghan and difficult conversations during this time.
"I suspect he won’t see his father on his own in case he gets annoyed, Camilla will probably be there to supervise the conversation, it’s very sad.
"But on the other hand maybe it will warm Harry and he’ll realise how cruel he’s been and soften down – but then he’ll come up against a wall with Meghan.
"He was very close with his father when he was younger, even closer than William.
"I think it might be the beginning of their relationship rebuild, but it depends how Harry responds when he goes back to California to Meghan."
The royal author went on to reveal that while the King's diagnosis could be a "eureka moment" for Harry, he will have to battle Meghan.
She continued: "It could be a eureka moment for Harry and wanting to rebuild a relationship with his family but it’s hard when he has Meghan.
"If he was the only person to decide that the relationship with his family could be there, it would be fine.
"But Meghan is so negative about the British Royal Family so I think she is going to have a big problem.
"Charles is getting old and Harry’s kids haven’t seen him much since they moved to America.
"So I hope Harry does feel guilty about that and that now enables him to be strong and change his views and set aside any rifts.
"One can hope that King Charles’ cancer can be dealt with, without too much trouble.
"It might just start Harry thinking again about who he is, what he wants, and the family he came from who loved him very much.
"I think Charles would be pleased to see Harry. He would be soft and he’s always felt that the door is open."
It is understood Charles personally broke the news to sons William and Harry ahead of the public finding out.
Ahead of his arrival, a royal expert has exclusively told The Sun Online that Prince William will be extremely anxious to see his younger brother.
Angela Levin said the "door is always open" for Charles, but William will take some convincing when it comes to building bridges with the Duke of Sussex.
Despite undergoing treatment at, he will however, continue to receive Red Boxes and State documents and hold a weekly audience with the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sent his best wishes to the King this morning, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: "All our thoughts are with him and his family.
"Thankfully, this has been caught early."
He said everyone will be hoping the King "gets the treatment that he needs and makes a full recovery".
The PM added: "That's what we're all hoping and praying for, and I'm of course in regular contact with him and will continue to communicate with him as normal."
Inside Charles' tumultuous 18 months from the Queen’s death to his cancer diagnosis
September 8 2022 - The world was left in mourning after Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022.
September 19 2022 - The stoic King led his family, marching behind the Queen's coffin from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey, at her funeral.
January 2023 - The Monarch deals with the fall out following Prince Harry's bombshell memoir Spare - in which the Duke blasted the Royal Family.
April 2023 - Harry has a "heart-to-heart" talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London
May 6 2023 - Charles is crowned King at his Coronation at Westminster Abbey.
September 2023 - Harry rejects an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queen’s death at Balmoral with his father.
November 2023 - The King celebrates his 75th birthday with a gathering of close family and friends at Clarence House.
January 17 2024 - Buckingham Palace announces His Majesty will be undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Just hours previous it was also revealed Princess Kate had been admitted to hospital for a pre-planned abdominal surgery.
January 26 2024 - The King is admitted to The London Clinic - where Princess Kate was also staying.
January 29 2024 - Charles waves as he leaves the hospital following a three day stay and being given the all clear.
It is understood the Monarch will take a month to recover after the surgery as Queen Camilla stands in during public appearances.
February 5 2024 - Buckingham Palace announces a form of cancer was diagnosed during the King's prostate op.
The statement confirms Charles has begun a schedule of regular treatments and "remains wholly positive".
He will also be postponing front line duties on doctor's advice but continue with his red boxes, weekly audiences with the Prime Minister, and monthly Privy Council meetings.
February 6 2024 - Prince Harry flies to the UK to be with his father as royal experts claim their four-year rift could be put aside.
The Duke of Sussex, who was informed of the news personally by the Monarch, was seen arriving into a private terminal at LAX in his black Range Rover.
Yesterday's announcement came just eight days after His Majesty was released from hospital following a "corrective procedure" for an enlarged prostate.
But, during his stay a "separate issue of concern was noted" and tests went on to find cancer.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman stated: "Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.
"His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.
"Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.
"The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure.
"He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
"His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer."
The news of the King's cancer diagnosis sparked shockwaves across the country.
It coincided with the late Queen's Accession Day, marking the moment she took the throne following the death of her father, King George VI.
And it comes after a series of health scares to hit the Royal Family since the New Year.
First, Kate was admitted to hospital on January 16 for planned abdominal surgery.
The dramatic news was followed an hour later by an announcement that the King required an op for "an enlarged prostate".
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Charles was admitted to the same hospital as Kate on January 26 for surgery.
He stayed for three nights before leaving with Camilla, 76, wearing a dapper coat, suit and tie - cheerily waving at well-wishers.
What is the counsellor of state role?
According to the website, in the event that The King cannot undertake his official duties as Sovereign on a temporary basis due to illness or absence abroad, two or more Counsellors of State are appointed by Letters Patent to act in His Majesty's place.
By law, Counsellors of State include the Sovereign's spouse and the next four people in the line of succession who are over the age of 21.
Counsellors of State are authorised to carry out most of the official duties of the Sovereign.
However, there are a number of core constitutional functions that may not be delegated:
- Commonwealth matters
- The dissolving of Parliament, except on His Majesty's express instruction
- The creation of peers
- Appointing a Prime Minister
The counsellors of state are usually the sovereign's spouse and the next four people in the line of succession who are over the age of 21.
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