Royal line of succession in focus after King Charles’ cancer diagnosis
With Charles’ health issues sidelining him just 17 months after becoming King, the pressure is on the Prince of Wales to step up and illustrates how close Harry is to the throne.
King Charles’ shock diagnosis of a form of cancer, separate to the benign prostate issue, has rocked the royal family and has immediately focused attention on the line of succession.
With Charles’ serious health issues sidelining him in the short term from carrying out his duties just 17 months after becoming King, the pressure is on the next in line, William, the Prince of Wales to step up.
However William has been focusing on his own family with wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, recovering from a major abdominal surgery.
Wayward second son, Prince Harry, who is fifth in line to the throne behind the Wales’s, is planning to travel to the United Kingdom to visit his 75 year old father, which could improve his rock bottom standing among the British public after years of publicly trashing the monarchy.
However the hasty travel plans have also magnified the closeness that Harry, and his deeply unpopular wife Meghan have to the throne if anything happens to William, 41, before Prince George, 10, comes of age.
The news will impact on the duties of Queen Camilla, who will be beside Charles throughout his treatment, leaving the Princess Royal, Anne, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, with much greater workloads.
Anne is already one of the hardest working royals.
Royal Family tree and line of succession
Last month William announced that he was temporarily stepping back from royal duties until after Easter while caring for Catherine, but he would be now expected to make an earlier return to work.
Within hours of Charles’ health update, Kensington Palace said William would recommence royal duties this week.
Will King Charles’ duties change?
William and Catherine have made it clear their priority is their young children, but this latest health scare may encourage them to hire more staff to help with the family so they can increase their duties.
If Charles’s treatment means he is unable to continue as King in the longer term, a declaration of incapacity will be invoked under the Regency Act by three senior officials: the Lord Chancellor, Lord Chief Justice, Master of the Rolls, or the Speaker of the House of Commons, as well as Camilla, and royal duties will be transferred to William.
If something happens to William, Harry would become Regent until George is of age. If this was to happen, the 1000 year monarchy would be in peril.
In a statement about Charles’ health Buckingham Palace said a “separate issue of concern was noted” after having undergone a prostate operation last month. Tests have revealed “a form of cancer”, the Palace said, without going into details. His majesty has already begun a schedule of regular treatments and postponed royal duties on doctors’ orders. He was last seen in public at church at Sandringham in Norfolk on the weekend.
Charles’ immediate treatment for the cancer in a London hospital, released by the Palace on Tuesday morning Australian time, comes eight days after he was released from hospital following a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate.
The palace said: “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.”
Charles is said to be “positive about his treatment”, and “looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible”.
The current line of succession is William, George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Harry, Prince Archie, Princess Lilibet, Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice, Sienna Mapelli Mozzi.
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