The beginning of 2024 has proven challenging for the royal family.



His Majesty, King Charles

 

A shocking message was published on the official Royal Family website as the British Isles awoke on February 5, 2024. King Charles has received a diagnosis of cancer and is currently undergoing medical treatment. It is currently unknown what stage the cancer is at. 

 

Although the palace made it clear that the King would still be handling "state business" and "official paperwork" as usual. They also stated that the King had begun his prescribed treatments and had eliminated any disruptions "during which time [he] has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties." 

 

It has been claimed that for the next several weeks, the King and Prime Minister Rishi Shunak will conduct their weekly in-person meetings over the phone. Additionally, Rishi Shunak tweeted his best wishes to the King and reposted the royal family's official statement, he tweeted, “Wishing His Majesty a full and speedy recovery. I have no doubt he’ll be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will be wishing him well.”

 

Source: The official website of the Royal Family



Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry

 

Later, on February 6, 2024, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, made his first visit to the nation of this year from Los Angeles (he was last seen on September 2023, for the WellChild Awards). According to reports, Prince Harry only spent 45 minutes with his father during his 24-hour visit to the UK. His two children, Meghan Markle and the Dutchess, did not accompany him. 

 

In addition, several media sources said that he was staying at a hotel rather than the royal mansion, which sparked speculation about the royals' connection. To exacerbate the already-present hostility, it is further said that the two brothers did not meet during Prince Harry's brief visit.

 

Source: Getty Images/ DOMINIC LIPINSKI



Princess of Wales, Catherine Middleton

 

However, Prince William has temporarily taken control of royal matters, like appearances and public speeches. The Prince was not joined by his spouse, Princess of Wales Catherine Middleton, who declared that on January 17, 2024, she had "planned abdominal surgery" at The London Clinic. 

 

There were no other details included in the announcement, which sparked a variety of theories about the abrupt surgery. Some claimed it was acid reflux from her three prior pregnancies, while others claimed she had a hysterectomy to remove her uterus after giving birth to William's successor and ensuring the royal family's continued existence. 

 

Source: Getty Images/MING YEUNG



Prince of Wales, Prince William.

 

At his first public appearance at the London Air Ambulance Service. The crowd attending anticipated a speech outlining his father's recovery, but to their astonishment, he just touched on the subject briefly and thanked everyone for their "kind messages", also adding, “I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days.”

 

He was in the company of actor Tom Cruise and was seen having a friendly banter, jokingly asking him not to borrow the palace’s helicopters for his next Mission Impossible franchise. 

 

Source: Alamy/Daniel Leal

 

The most recent sources state that the King was seen for the first time since his diagnosis on February 6, 2024, while returning to Sandringham. 

 

With his calendar freed up and his therapy underway, he appeared at ease.