According to reports in the British press, Prince Edward might become the royal family’s temporary leader while King Charles III and Prince William step back from public duties.
Edward’s responsibilities are set to grow.
The Duke of Edinburgh, the youngest child of the late Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, has taken on more royal engagements and responsibilities since King Charles revealed his cancer diagnosis in February and Prince William’s wife Kate Middleton had “planned abdominal surgery” in January. Kate disclosed last week that she was diagnosed with cancer following surgery and is currently having “preventative” chemotherapy, putting an end to years of speculation and conspiracy theories regarding her health and whereabouts.
According to The Independent, Queen Camilla has taken on at least 13 additional royal engagements since the King was diagnosed with cancer, but she has also taken some time off to help him recover. Prince Edward has gradually filled in.
Earlier this month, the Duke of Edinburgh visited Staffordshire’s Right Stuff Amateur Boxing Club, which promotes positive social behavior among young people. In February, he attended the British Cycling National Track Championships and competed in a badminton match against his wife in the All England Open.
Insiders have lauded Prince Edward’s “inner steel” and his royal duties in general. In 2023, Edward attended 297 royal events, the third most of any royal that year behind King Charles and his sister Anne, Princess Royal. As more royals deal with health and family issues, Edward’s responsibilities are set to grow.
Prince Edward, who has been a full-time working royal since 2002, is presently the most senior working male royal, following King Charles and Prince William.
Prince Edward is 14th in line for the throne
King Charles has not worked since his cancer diagnosis and has rescheduled all of his upcoming activities, according to a Buckingham Palace statement. Similarly, Prince William said that he and his wife will take a four-week hiatus from royal events while Kate undergoes treatment. The Princess of Wales expects a “full recovery.”
Prince Edward is 14th in line for the throne. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Cambridge University and briefly served in the Royal Marines. His 1987 effort to create a Royals-themed TV game show called “It’s a Royal Knockout” was heavily criticized and is widely regarded as one of the Royal family’s worst public relations disasters.
YouGov polling ranks Prince Edward as the seventh most popular living royal. 42% of the British populace have a positive opinion of him, whereas 17% have a negative one.
