London: He waited longer than any heir in British history for his moment in the sun, and now Charles, at 75, is being confronted by his mortality.
When he acceded the throne 17 months ago, the King pledged to dedicate the remainder of his life to the service of his people. After 70 years as the next in line, the diagnosis of an unspecified cancer means he must, for now, step back.
Prince William, the King and Prince Harry.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
The news was a complete shock. His trip to hospital last week, we were assured, was routine treatment for a benign condition. It was during the procedure, however, that something worse was discovered.
Planned foreign visits – including to Australia and Canada this year – could be postponed, and the King’s appearance at the Commonwealth heads-of-government meeting in Samoa in October is no longer guaranteed.
While the message from Buckingham Palace was clear and reassuring: the King is still in charge despite his ongoing treatment, his public absence arrives with ill timing in an election year and at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
Step forward William, the Prince of Wales, who until hours before the news of the King’s condition was announced, was expected to remain by his ill wife’s side as continued her recovery from abdominal surgery.
Britain’s King Charles III and Prince William attend the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London last November. Credit: AP
The surprise announcement he would take part in two official engagements this week - earlier than expected - now makes sense. The 41-year-old prince - now routinely the most popular royal in opinion polls - will attempt to create the impression of seamless continuity while clearly being shocked and concerned with his own’s fathers wellbeing.
Until recently the King appeared to have enviable health for a man of his age. With a famously healthy diet and exercise routine, he is already the oldest living king in British history.
‘Don’t make my final years a misery’: King Charles confronts his mortality
13
37
06.02.2024
London: He waited longer than any heir in British history for his moment in the sun, and now Charles, at 75, is being confronted by his mortality.
When he acceded the throne 17 months ago, the King pledged to dedicate the remainder of his life to the service of his people. After 70 years as the next in line, the diagnosis of an unspecified cancer means he must, for now, step back.
Prince William, the King and Prince Harry.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
The news was a complete shock. His trip........
© The Sydney Morning Herald
visit website
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Belen Fernandez
Rami G Khouri
Mort Laitner
Donald Low
Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Nikkei Editorial
