King Charles’s functions were ceremonial in nature. (document)
London:
King Charles III is to retire from public life to undergo treatment for cancer. What does this mean for the British monarchy?
What were the functions of King Charles III?
Charles is the head of state of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth countries, from Canada to Australia and Jamaica.
His function is ceremonial in nature and he is not supposed to interfere in political debates. However, his responsibilities include making British laws, appointing the Prime Minister, presiding over meetings of Parliament, etc.
He also has diplomatic responsibilities, which Charles, 75, has been keen to fulfill since he ascended the throne 17 months ago.
He has received visiting heads of state, visited Germany, France and Kenya, and delivered a speech at the COP28 climate conference.
William and Camilla take the lead
The British public mostly sees members of the royal family traveling across the country hundreds of times a year to attend associations, public services or inaugurations. They also support initiatives for homeless people and encourage reading and nature conservation.
Charles has been particularly active since becoming monarch, even before becoming heir to Queen Elizabeth II, whose health had been deteriorating in the final years before her death in September 2022.
His absence during a break following prostate surgery in January has put his wife, Queen Camilla, increasingly in the spotlight.
Camilla, 76, still maintains an active schedule, even though in recent days the king has been diagnosed with cancer.
As heir apparent, William, 41, will find himself at the forefront of royal duties.
However, his popular wife Kate will not be able to return to action until at least the end of March after undergoing abdominal surgery in mid-January.
William stepped back to stay with Kate and look after their three children.
He is scheduled to return on Wednesday with an awards ceremony and charity gala.
According to British media reports, he will take over some of his father’s responsibilities.
The simultaneous absence of two “royal members” highlights the dwindling number of active members of the royal family following the abdication of the disgraced Prince Andrew.
The king’s brother made damaging headlines for his friendship with late US sex crimes financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Meanwhile, Charles’ younger son Harry was estranged from his family.
Charles continues to manage ‘state affairs’ from behind the scenes
Buckingham Palace said Charles “will continue to attend to state affairs and administrative duties as usual” while undergoing treatment.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who speaks to the king once a week, has said communications with him will continue as usual.
According to British media reports, the king will continue to receive the famous “red box” of official documents every morning and will hold meetings with advisers.
He could also hold video conferences, as the Queen has done during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Royal biographer Robert Hardman told the BBC that “the day-to-day operations of the monarchy will not change”, although the king will stay away from the public to protect his own health.
“It doesn’t prevent things from being done, there’s no constitutional issue,” he said.
What if the king is no longer able to work?
The monarch can be replaced by two “counselors of state”, a list that includes the queen, the heir, and certain family members, such as his sister Anne or his brother Edward.
The royal family made it clear to parliament in late 2022 that “only its active members” could “effectively” serve as state advisers, effectively excluding Harry and Andrew.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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