Trooping the Colour is always a momentous occasion in London to celebrate the official birthday of the British sovereign, but this year might feel more muted than years past. The diagnoses of King Charles III and Kate Middleton‘s cancer cast a pall over what is happening in the royal family, and the usually celebratory moment on the balcony might not feel as cheerful this year — and there’s also a staffing issue looming in the background.
Charles’ “slimmed-down monarchy” idea is a failure, according to The Daily Beast. Gone are the glory days when “the balcony groaned with family members” there to honor Queen Elizabeth II. Instead, the media outlet predicts that Saturday’s event will be “an all too graphic illustration of the parlous and threadbare state into which the monarchy has declined on his watch.” At best, the biggest superstar will be Prince William, whose star wattage is no match for his wife.
While there were rumors that the Princess of Wales was considering Charles’ request to make a brief appearance on the balcony, a source dismissed that idea completely. “I think this idea that Kate is suddenly going to pop up on the balcony on Saturday is far-fetched,” they noted to The Daily Beast. “It would be wonderful, of course, but more than slightly bizarre given that she bowed out of the Colonel’s review.”
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie could have added a splash of personality to the day’s events, but their rumored return as part-time royals doesn’t seem to be happening. “The king has been clear that he does not see a role for Beatrice and Eugenie in the future of the royal family, so they presumably won’t be there either,” wrote the outlet. So, where does that leave the royal family? Well, it’s Princess Anne who can say to her older brother, “I told you so.”
In May 2023, ahead of King Charles’ coronation, Princess Anne shared her opinion on her brother’s plan for a smaller working royal family to CBC News: The National. “It doesn’t sound like a good idea from where I’m standing,” she said quite frankly. And she was right. No one could have predicted the health issues faced by Charles and Kate, but now, it leaves the royal family in a very vulnerable position that’s going to be a glaring problem at Trooping the Colour.
Before you go, click here to see the best photos of the royal family at Trooping the Colour over the years.
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