Khushi Maheshwari, Pune
After the demise of his mother less than 18 months ago and that of his father in 2021, King Charles the Third has been diagnosed with a type of cancer. While the royal family has not specified what type of cancer it is, the King will supposedly take a step back from royal duties and public appearances to undergo treatment.
Not even a month ago another high-ranking member of the family, Kate, the Princess of Wales and wife of Prince William underwent abdominal surgery for a cause that was declared “non-cancerous” by the family. Prince William is Charles’s eldest son and heir to the throne.
Initially, King Charles was getting medical attention for an enlarged prostate, something which was found to be a benign condition. While undergoing treatment, he was diagnosed with cancer.
Rishi Sunak, the Prime minister of the United Kingdom, while wishing the king a speedy and swift recovery also mentioned that the medical intervention was made early on. Meaning that the cancer has been caught at an early stage.
A break in tradition?
King Charles has gone out of his way to be transparent about his illness. The palace claims that he did this to motivate others with the same condition in their journeys and increase public understanding. This is in contrast to the zip-lock secrecy the royals tend to maintain pertaining to their health conditions like in the case of Katherine (the Princess of Wales).
Possible Implications of the King’s Condition on the Monarchy-
The king’s mother, Queen Elizabeth always reiterated her principle of being seen to be believed. Something which translates to stressing over the significance of the royal public appearances. King Charles himself partook in 425 royal engagements last year. Putting him on number 2; right below his younger sister Anne (who engaged in 457) on the list of hardest-working royals.
The question is, would the royals need to remodel their image in a social media era with many high-ranking members compromised either physically (King Charles and Katherine) or socially and diplomatically (Prince Andrew’s Scandal and Prince Harry’s self-exile)?