Matters 'Will Only Get Worse': King Charles and Kate Middleton Return From Hospital to Multiple Problems
King Charles III and Catherine, Princess of Wales, are both back home from hospital, but the issues plaguing the monarchy are only expected to continue among a "slimmed-down monarchy" issue.
"This crisis has definitely highlighted how very thin on the ground working royals are now, and it’s only going to get worse until George, Charlotte and Louis grow up," royal expert Jennie Bond told an outlet.
"The King has been resolute in his determination to slim down the monarchy and the current situation will convince him to change tack. I think he’s right. Only the most churlish would begrudge Charles, Kate and William time off to get over this health shock," she added. "Of course, there will be charities and organizations who will be disappointed by events being postponed or canceled, but I’m sure they will be sympathetic and understanding."
His Majesty's decision to only operate with a handful of royals is not being met with the wide-ranging approval the monarch may have hoped for.
"That is the backbone of royalty because that is what makes people in this country feel that the royals are worth having," Lady Colin Campbell dished in September 2023, when discussing all the charity work numerous royal family members contribute to Britain.
However, the King's reported inability to maintain a leak-free press office became apparent when the announcements for his and the Princess of Wales' surgeries came out.
"One idea might be for the King and William (and Kate when she feels able) to connect with charities etc. via video link, as they all did during the pandemic. It was very effective — highlighting the causes they support and at the same time keeping the royal family in the public eye," Bond observed. "It also gave us some wonderful fairly informal moments as we 'eavesdropped' on their conversations. So… more of that, please!"
What I've been told is that the King has royal engagements that had to be canceled, so the Palace had to start telling people this was happening," journalist Jack Royston shared when describing the concerns of the palace press office.
January 17 was apparently a chaotic day at the official seat of the British monarchy since the decision to announce Kate, Princess of Wales,' surgery was in tandem with King Charles' health condition as well.
"Once they started telling people privately, they just wanted to get that information out there," Royston added when describing how the dual announcements were a spur-of-the-moment decision. "It's reassuring for the public if it comes from the Palace rather than being leaked by somebody who maybe had a tangential role in a royal visit."
He continued: "If you allow it to come out that way, then everybody panics."
GBN reported on Bond's comments.