Prince Edward has joined the ranks of senior royals who are temporarily stepping back from their royal duties, a move prompted by the recent hospitalizations of both King Charles and Kate Middleton.
The Duke of Edinburgh, aged 59, has decided to take a brief hiatus after wrapping up his overseas engagements, which included visits to the Commonwealth country of South Africa and the British territory of St. Helena earlier this month, as reported by Us Weekly.
This decision to step back mirrors that of Prince William, who has also adjusted his schedule to be by his wife’s side, providing support to their family during this challenging period. It is a customary practice for members of the royal family to take a short break following their busy and demanding official trips. According to the Royal Diary, it appears that Prince Edward is not expected to make public appearances for another week.
With Prince Edward temporarily scaling back his royal commitments, the spotlight now shifts to the women in the royal family. Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, are poised to take on a more active role in carrying out their royal engagements, particularly as the senior members of the royal family continue their recovery from recent health challenges.
In January, it was announced that Catherine, Princess of Wales, underwent a “planned abdominal surgery” and is currently recuperating at home. Simultaneously, King Charles was discharged from the hospital after undergoing prostate surgery. These health setbacks have necessitated adjustments in the royal family’s schedules, with a temporary redistribution of duties to ensure a smooth transition during this period of recovery.