Stepping in for a King: Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie Replace Sick King Charles at Major Royal Event

An ill King Charles III asked two royals for help this week: Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. The pair, who have been occasionally working as senior royals since the monarch's accession, were asked to host the military ceremony celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordial between the U.K and France.

Since the sovereign's presence at such an important event was almost certainly expected, the moment marked a major moment for the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh on the royal stage.

An onlooker told an outlet that they were expecting to see either Queen Camilla or even Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie walk out in the King's place. The onlooker said they were all surprised to see the Edinburghs as the "chosen ones," since the duo have rarely stepped up in such a mainline capacity in front of the world's media.

Many also hoped to see the King since he "did so well" when attending the Easter Sunday church service at Windsor Castle, going on to chat and shake hands with people lining the routes.

This follows a rare interview the prince gave ahead of his 60th birthday on Sunday, March 10, where he offered an update on his brother King Charles III's health.

"He's doing well; we are keeping our fingers crossed that it all goes very well," His Royal Highness shared.

"We were all hugely grateful for the extraordinary support from everyone. I know he has been very touched by it all," the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's youngest child added.

The King is battling a still-unidentified form of cancer and has been receiving treatments for the disease for over two months. His Majesty underwent an operation for an enlarged prostate in late January, but Buckingham Palace did let it be known it was not that area in which the cancer was discovered. Numerous analysts and even some physicians have guessed the King could be experiencing anything from bladder, lymphatic, colorectal, or even "any range of blood cancers."

The monarch, who has only reigned for 19 months, is said to be dedicated to fulfilling his constitutional role as head of state, which is being handled behind palace gates. The sovereign is going through his red boxes of state papers each day and has been pictured meeting with ambassadors. Charles III has deputized the public-facing aspect of his role to other senior royals, such as Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.

The duo, along with Princess Anne, represent the only working royals behind the King, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales. With His Majesty's and the future queen's "debilitating" health scares this year, the Queen and Prince of Wales have been "stretched thin" when it comes to duties since both need to also be near their respective spouses.

Us Weekly reported on the onlooker revelations.