Royals who could stand in for King Charles after cancer diagnosis | UK News

Less than two years into his reign, after the death of the late Queen Elizabeth, King Charles has been diagnosed with ‘a form of cancer’ and has been told to postpone his public-facing duties while undergoing treatment.

His Majesty has not had to rely on another member of the Royal Family for help when abroad or when he was hospitalised.

It is yet unclear if the monarch will entrust anyone with his duties, like his weekly meeting with prime minister Rishi Sunak.

There are five ‘counsellors of state’ – Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of York and Princess Beatrice.

Harry is understood to be flying from California to London, while the Duchess of Sussex, will remain at home with their two children, Archie, four, and Lilibet, two.

‘The duke did speak with his father about his diagnosis. He will be traveling to UK to see His Majesty in the coming days,’ a source close to him said.

But the prince is no longer a ‘working royal’ after moving to the US with his wife Meghan.

By law, counsellors of state are required to have a UK domicile, but Harry has no address here after stepping back from official duties.

Like his nephew, Prince Andrew also cannot be called in after being stripped of his military titles and patronages in 2022 over a civil sexual assault lawsuit.

According to the Royal Family website, this leaves Camilla, Prince William and Princess Beatrice to stand in for the monarch.

Princess Anne and Edward could also be called upon as both were previously counsellors of state before they were overtaken in the order of succession.

But it is understood that none of them will be asked to step in for the King on a formal basis.

A statement from Buckingham Palace issued this evening said he will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.

It added: ‘The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure.

‘He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.

‘His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.’

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