Charles III is ill but is about to return to public life in the absence of the princess Kate continues to worry the British. «The subjects are certainly relieved and happy to see the sovereign return to work», explains Sarah Vine, columnist for the “Daily Mail” and expert on the Royal Family. «Carlo is a very humble man and eager to complete his projects. However, I think people here have been and still are much more worried about the Princess of Wales.”
King Charles is ill. «He called Harry and Meghan, he desperately wants to see his grandchildren. She said no.”
How come?
«The king is elderly and at his age some health problems are to be expected. Catherine is a young mother of three children and while we learned about the king’s tumor and that it had been caught quickly, We still don’t know the details of her illness. He has always shown himself in public, albeit with sporadic photos, but the princess has disappeared.”
Do you think speculation about him will continue?
«No, I think that after her video many felt guilty for having tormented her. Surely the press will leave her alone until she is ready to say something herself.”
How did you experience these announcements as a journalist and as a private citizen?
«These announcements were undoubtedly a shock for everyone, even more so for the princess about whom nothing was known. In those weeks things happened without explanation, like William’s sudden absence from his godfather’s funeral. We were very worried about Kate, about her absence. Anyone who thinks that the monarchy is a dusty institution distant from ordinary people is wrong. Someone even went so far as to ask me if the stress caused by the arguments with Harry and Meghan, including the book “Spare”, had in some way contributed to worsening the state of health of the king and his daughter-in-law.”
Communication proved to be key. For the first time the health of a sovereign was discussed openly.
«The king was transparent in talking about a very widespread problem, the prostate problem, and he came out of it well. He didn’t try to hide anything and in my opinion it was the right choice. The loss of Queen Elizabeth was a great shock for the United Kingdom and it is very difficult for it to fill that void. Especially after what happened with Lady Diana. Many here are still angry with him for having betrayed her and made her suffer.”
According to “YouGov” the sovereign’s popularity rose significantly in March, and he is now fourth after his mother, Kate and sister Anna.
«Despite its tragic nature, the disease helped him connect with people, because people felt sorry for him. There’s a sense of greater empathy and also the knowledge that he won’t be king for a long time. Should he live another twenty years, he will never reach his mother’s record. He has always been in a difficult position because many were already looking to the reign of his son, William, young, with a beautiful and charming wife, embracing the theory of some that the monarchy should have skipped a generation. This thought has been swept away by the events of recent months. Now many think that Charles III has earned the right to be on the throne.”
And the same goes for Camilla in the role of queen at his side?
«As a “mistress and ruiner of families”, she had to gain the trust of her subjects. But she is a very nice woman, this helped her to live up to her role.”
How do you rate this first year as king, almost 12 months after your coronation?
«On the one hand sweet, because Carlo has waited his whole life to fill this role. On the other hand, bitter because he hasn’t really been able to do it yet, he had to “pause” and he’s someone who’s in a hurry because he knows he doesn’t have much time. For someone who always wants to be pro-active, this wait must have been very frustrating.”
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