Since the start of the year, the Firm has been depleted in number following the Princess of Wales’s major abdominal surgery and the King’s prostate surgery and subsequent cancer diagnosis.
Prince William also reduced his workload to support his wife and children throughout Kate’s recovery.
Now, Kate will be taking a prolonged period of absence after she bravely announced her cancer diagnosis on Friday. The Prince of Wales will also be stepping back over the next few weeks to focus on his family during the children’s school holidays.
Many commentators have raised concerns that there simply aren’t enough working royals to go around, especially considering their ages.
Over the past few months Queen Camilla, 76, Princess Anne, 73, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, aged 60 and 59, have been doing a tremendous job in filling in for Charles, Kate and William.
The Queen should be especially lauded for increasing her workload, which last week saw her confer city status in the Isle of Man and undertake a two-day visit to Northern Ireland.
And this week she’ll be undertaking royal engagements in London, Shropshire and Worcestershire.
The Duke of Kent, 88, Princess Alexandra of Kent, 87 and Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, aged 79 and 77, have also been performing duties.
Charles will be aiming to silence critics, reassure the public and put a symbolic arm around the Firm as he makes his first public appearance since he attended church in Sandringham on February 18.
On medical advice, the King has carried out very few public-facing duties, limited to his weekly meeting with the Prime Minister and several private audiences.
However, all this is set to change as he is determined to step out on Easter Sunday.
It is clear that the King wants to put the Royal Family back on a firm footing and show them that he is well.
His appearance will show the world that despite illness, Charles is very much at the helm and is doing his very best to support the nation and his family through this difficult time.
