Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: CHRIS JACKSON / CHRIS JACKSON COLLECTION / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP 10:13 a.m., February 7, 2024

While King Charles III began his treatment for a form of cancer on Monday, Prince William, heir to the British throne, resumes his public royal engagements this Wednesday after a break to take care of his wife, Kate, who is convalescing.

Prince William, heir to the British throne, resumes his public royal engagements on Wednesday after a break to care for his convalescing wife, Kate, at a time when his father, King Charles III, is taking some time off to treat his cancer. The sovereign began treatment on Monday for an unspecified form of cancer and although he will continue some of his administrative functions, he will be absent from public life for an indefinite period, the palace said. of Buckingham.

A taste

As a foretaste of the destiny that awaits him when he succeeds his father, William, whose official appearances are already closely followed by the British media, will find himself even more in the spotlight. Very popular, the Prince of Wales, 41, must lead a decoration ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, then in the evening attend a charity gala in London for the benefit of the London Air Ambulance, according to information published Monday by the palace, just a few hours before the announcement of the king's illness.

>> READ ALSO -

 United Kingdom: how should the monarchy be organized if Charles III was unable to govern?

William had suspended his official activities in recent weeks due to the operation his wife underwent, and in order to take care of their three young children, George, Charlotte and Louis. Kate, 42, was hospitalized on January 16 for abdominal surgery. The reasons for this intervention remain unknown, but it is not cancer, according to British media. The princess, who was discharged from the clinic last week, according to Kensington Palace, is due to convalesce at the family home in Windsor, west of London. It is not expected to resume activities before Easter, March 31.

Continuity and stability

During the absence of the king, for an as yet unknown period, and of Kate, the continuity and stability of the monarchy will therefore rest essentially on the shoulders of William, as well as those of Queen Camilla and Princess Anne, the sister by Charles. The latter - one of the most assiduous active members of the royal family, with 457 public engagements last year compared to 425 for the king, according to a BBC count - was also on deck on Tuesday, to present decorations at Windsor Castle, or visit a community center in Nottinghamshire (north).

Camilla has been traveling a lot in recent days. But there is no doubt that the one who is considered by observers of the monarchy as her husband's "rock", should remain close to him to help him get through this ordeal. On Tuesday, the couple were seen driving together from their London residence at Clarence House to nearby Buckingham Palace, where they took a helicopter to Sandringham, another royal residence in the East England, in a rural setting away from the targets.

>> READ ALSO - 

Cancer of Charles III: “We could lose two figures of the monarchy in such a short time”, the concern of the British

Charles III had just received a brief visit from his youngest son, Prince Harry, who had just arrived from California where he lives with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, Archie and Lilibet. Despite ongoing tensions between Harry and the rest of the royal family, the king had personally informed his son of his illness, according to British media. Enough to raise new questions about a possible reconciliation between the prince, his father, and especially his brother, William. Even if according to British media, the Prince of Wales has not planned to meet his brother.