King Charles’ long-standing goal of a slimmed-down monarchy means there are now only eight working royals left to carry out public duties.
Princess Kate’s devastating cancer diagnosis, announced this evening, follows Charles’ own cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
In the wake of Kate’s heartbreaking video, Kensington Palace confirmed that there won’t be any early return to official duties for the princess.
The medical issues will see both senior royals out of the public eye for the foreseeable future.
This leaves just eight working royals left to carry out public duties, with half of them minor royals.
The most senior royal remaining for public duty is Queen Camilla, who recently met crowds of well-wishers on a visit to the Isle of Man on Wednesday.
The Queen, 76, greeted people outside Douglas Borough Council on Wednesday after presenting a letters patent, officially conferring city status on Douglas.
She also travelled to Northern Ireland for a two-day tour.
Charles can also rely on his sister, Princess Anne, to carry out her duties with a business as usual approach.
Earlier today, the Princess Royal met senior Army officers as she opened a new officers’ accommodation block in Gloucestershire.
The king’s sister, 73, also covered for Charles at a reception for Korean War Veterans, alongside the Duchess of Edinburgh, 59.
Prince Edward, 60, and his wife, Sophie, has also taken on an increasingly senior role in the family.
The Duchess of Edinburgh visited the Paediatric Neurosciences Ward at Leeds Children’s Hospital on Wednesday.
There are several minor working royals who can be called up to fill for royal duties, such as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, 79 and 77.
However, they are often restricted to local events in Gloucester.
The Duke of Kent, 88, and Princess Alexandra, 87, technically remain working royals but they have also both slowed down in recent years.
The Duke of Kent was recently seen two weeks ago attending a service of thanksgiving to celebrate the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s 200th anniversary at Westminster Abbey.
