The Royal Family needs to adapt to the hectic schedule it is subject to, according to royal author Robert Hardman.
It comes after King Charles’s cancer diagnosis saw him postpone all public-facing duties but continue with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers.
The monarch not carrying out his frontline duties further compounded an already stretched Firm, with Princess Kate not expected to return to duties until after Easter due to recent surgery.
Prince William had originally intended to take a back seat in a bid to offer his wife and children support as she recovered, only to be thrust back into the action with his father’s bombshell announcement.
Robert Hardman says King Charles did not intend to create a slimmed down monarchy
GETTY / GB NEWS
Speaking on GBN America, Hardman told Nana Akua that Charles “never intended” to have a slimmed down monarchy, despite a litany of claims to the contrary.
“It just slimmed down itself with the passage of time”, he said.
“Prince Andrew had to step back from public life and that was followed in short order by the decision of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to leave Britain and start a new life.
“That immediately shrunk the royal frontline. You look back in history and there has been many times where it has been a slim unit.
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Robert Hardman joined Nana Akua on GBN America
GB NEWS
King Charles was diagnosed with cancer GETTY“The public don’t expect to see lots of royal cousins out and about every day. For now, other members of the family will have to step up.
“It has to adapt. If it doesn’t adapt, it is doomed, but it has always learned to adapt.”
Last month, while Charles took a step back from the public eye for several days for treatment on an enlarged prostate, Camilla maintained her public schedule as she carried out engagements alone.
Camilla hosted a reception at Windsor Castle for a new Miniature Library collection there.
Neither Kensington Palace nor Buckingham Palace have been able to confirm when they expect Kate and Charles to return to their respective public duties.
The Queen has described the King as doing “extremely well under the circumstances” following his cancer diagnosis, as she celebrated the work of charities.
Camilla said her husband, who has undergone his first bout of cancer treatment earlier this week, was “very touched” by all the messages of support he has been receiving from the public.