Highlights: Buckingham Palace announced Monday February 5 that the 75-year-old British sovereign was suffering from cancer. It is a hard blow for Charles III, just 17 months after his accession to the throne. The announcement of Charles' cancer is a first for the British monarchy, accustomed to opacity. Buckingham Palace assures that Charles III will continue to take care of “the affairs of state” during his convalescence. The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, tried to reassure the British on February 6 during an interview with the BBC.

Buckingham Palace announced Monday February 5 that the 75-year-old British sovereign was suffering from cancer. He is retiring from public life for an indefinite period. It’s a hard blow for Charles…

United Kingdom: Charles III suffering from cancer, a hard blow for the British monarchy

Buckingham Palace announced Monday February 5 that the 75-year-old British sovereign was suffering from cancer. He is retiring from public life for an indefinite period. It is a hard blow for Charles III, just 17 months after his accession to the throne. An unprecedented situation for the British monarchy which raises some questions.

Seventeen months after his accession to the throne, King Charles III announced that he was suffering from cancer. AP - Adrian Dennis

By: RFI Follow

Nothing is written but everything is planned. In the event of the king's incapacity, there are two possibilities: regency, that is to say, a time when a person replaces the king and has the same powers. Or abdication. But Charles III is not ready to give up his crown after having waited more than fifty years. It is therefore Prince William who will replace his father for the moment.

Also read: United Kingdom: King Charles III suffers from a “form of cancer”

“

We find ourselves in a situation a bit like a listed company, Windsor Inc., where the king will be a non-executive chairman throughout his convalescence and the Prince of Wales, Prince William, will become chief executive occupying current affairs

,” explains Marc Roche, royal biographer and author of The

Borgias at Buckingham (

Albin Michel).

A temporary solution that cannot last forever. The announcement of Charles' cancer is a first for the British monarchy, accustomed to opacity. But we are far from total transparency, as Marc Roche notes: “

We know nothing about the illness from which the king suffers, just as we still know nothing about the causes of the operation that Kate Middleton underwent. In fact, the palace remains a victim of its culture of secrecy when it comes to health and succession to the throne.

Buckingham Palace assures that Charles III will continue to take care of “the affairs of state” during his convalescence. The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, tried to reassure the British on February 6 during an interview with the BBC and has already assured “

to communicate with him as usual

”. The king, traditionally, speaks every week with the Prime Minister.

Read alsoUnited Kingdom: King Charles III delivers his first speech from the throne

The announcement of the diagnosis surprised many British people.

I'm a little shocked. He looks in good health, the king... He has a healthy lifestyle. If they found this in time, he should get out quickly!

», Reacted one of them to the microphone of RFI correspondent in London,

Émeline Vin.

A revelation which could encourage the trivialization of a subject that is still taboo across the Channel. “

Here, we're talking about the 'Big C'! It is necessary to talk about it. The treatments are effective, people are cured today!

», underlines a passerby. Every day, 1,000 Britons learn they have cancer.

I think it's serious, otherwise he would have sought treatment without anyone knowing. But it's sad, he's waited so long to be king and he's already sick! At the same time, what do you want, it happens to everyone!

United Kingdom: Charles III suffering from cancer, a hard blow for the British monarchy

United Kingdom: Charles III suffering from cancer, a hard blow for the British monarchy

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