Royal Family to Delay Official Events Prior to the UK General Election

Why the Royal Family Will Postpone Engagements Ahead of UK Election

Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales. Chris Jackson/Getty Images For Buckingham Palace

The royal family has decided to temporarily stop their public engagements.

Buckingham Palace released a statement on Wednesday, May 22, stating that following the Prime Minister's announcement of a General Election, the royal family will postpone any engagements that could potentially take away attention from the election campaign.

Their Majesties have expressed their apologies to anyone who may be inconvenienced by this decision.

After U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a snap general election on Thursday, July 4, it was revealed that some royal engagements leading up to the election may be halted. Tatler mentioned that this is a standard practice to prevent senior royals from being seen as having political biases. However, the report also mentioned that larger public events are still being considered.

King Charles III decided to reduce his public appearances earlier this year due to his diagnosis of cancer, which was announced in February. The 75-year-old king made a notable return last month when he visited a cancer treatment center and shared a quick health update.

According to various U.K. sources, the king admitted that his cancer diagnosis initially came as a surprise to him. When asked about his well-being by a patient, Charles responded, "Not too bad," indicating that he was managing his condition.

Charles will be attending the Trooping the Colour on Saturday, June 15. This event is held annually in the U.K. to celebrate the reigning monarch's birthday.

Other senior royals, such as Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton, usually join in the festivities. However, Kate's attendance is uncertain due to her ongoing health struggles. The 42-year-old Princess shared on March 22 that she is receiving treatment for an unspecified form of cancer.

"It will be interesting to see if Kate attends the event," royal expert Christopher Andersen shared during a recent interview with We. He mentioned the possibility of her appearing on the balcony, which he believes wouldn't be too much of a strain for her. However, if she doesn't attend, it may give off a negative impression.

A spokesperson for the Princess of Wales informed the Daily Mail on May 20 that she is currently focusing on her recovery and needs privacy. They mentioned that she will only return to work once she receives clearance from her doctors.

The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, led by Kate, recently released the report "Prioritizing Early Childhood for a Happier, Healthier Society" on May 21. Despite the continuous effort put into her projects, Kate is not fully returning to the public eye at this moment.

Christian Guy, the executive director of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, emphasized the importance of this moment for Kate's early childhood work. He mentioned that the impact of her projects and the work of the Centre for Early Childhood are ongoing even as Kate takes time to recover.

Editor's P/S:

The decision of the royal family to temporarily halt public engagements during the upcoming General Election is a prudent one, ensuring that their presence does not overshadow the political campaign. It is a standard practice that allows senior royals to maintain their neutrality and avoid any potential perception of political bias.

The article also sheds light on King Charles III's recent cancer diagnosis, which has prompted him to reduce his public appearances. While his health remains a concern, it is encouraging to hear that he is managing his condition and will attend the Trooping the Colour event. Princess Kate's ongoing health struggles, however, raise questions about her attendance at the event. Her focus on recovery and the need for privacy are understandable, but her absence may send an unfavorable message. Nonetheless, the work of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood continues under her leadership, emphasizing the importance of early childhood development even during this challenging time.