King Charles III will get a chance to show what kind of leader he is going to be when he takes on a more official role this month when he joins the Trooping the Colour celebrations in the British capital. No sooner had he started off the enhanced year than in February, when it was reported he was under treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer, he has had to stagger under health and political issues in recent weeks. Later, his daughter-in-law, Princess Kate, was diagnosed with a similar condition.
After illness and recovery, Charles resumed public life in April with the nation holding out for the great highlights of the royal diary: Trooping the Colour. This was somewhat overshadowed by the snap general election called by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and after announcing the dates Charles, through his office, then issued a statement that the royal family would, in turn, dramatically reduce public appearances to not overshadow this election campaign, which will be held around the polling date earmarked of 4 July.
People’s fears are that after all this there would be no Trooping the Colour this year, but they were put at rest on Tuesday after the British Army announced that the major military parade is going to be on June 15, according to The Evening Standard. The annual event marking the official birthday of the monarch involves a ceremonial salute to the banner of the Irish Guards regiment, a carriage procession, and finally, an appearance by senior royals on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
He would like to be involved, but Buckingham Palace has yet to confirm his presence, and his medical team will only make a decision near the date about whether he is fit to travel. Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal commentator, explained to Newsweek that the involvement of the king is particularly significant, as he is presently undergoing treatment for cancer.
“The king has obviously made plans to attend, despite undergoing treatment for cancer, although it’s noted he may use a carriage rather than ride, which he did last year,” Fitzwilliams said. “It is of immense importance that the appearance of King Charles is most pertinent at this point in his cancer treatment, in that it is at this point that he clearly is on the mend to a worldwide audience through the public engagements that lie ahead of him, of which there have been sighted of late. It is key, at this challenging stage, to make public appearances, especially for the commemoration of his birthday.”
It is traditional that Trooping the Colour be attended by senior working members of the royal family; this would include Princess Kate. With the diagnosis of cancer having occurred on March 22, and with no date set for her return to public life now just days before the event, it seems a very remote possibility that she will be in attendance. A Kensington Palace spokesperson told the BBC on May 20, “The princess is not expected to return to work until it’s cleared by her medical team.”
There are three practice events to prepare for the day himself, one commanded by the colonel of the Irish Guards, in an event called “The Colonel’s Review”. The events to which Kate was supposed to attend but her plans of attendance have become uncertain.
Last of all, as Charles takes to the front and centre of Trooping the Colour, the event arguably offers the most important opportunity to showcase his state of mind and leadership qualities, at a time when personal and political pressures are now at their zenith.
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