Charles III’s cancer triggers a constitutional crisis in the UK

As the longest-serving heir to the throne in history, he was able to think carefully about what his rule should look like. He waited 73 years to complete his life’s work. But when the first anniversary of his coronation has not yet passed, Charles III begins had to take a step back. He always refused to be just a transitional monarch. He wanted to leave his mark. However, cancer has forced the now 75-year-old king to cancel his public agenda.

They don’t want to talk about a constitutional crisis and always convey a message of calm. In fact, the protocol wasn’t even enabled for the call the “state councilors”, those authorized to act in the place of the monarch when the latter is temporarily unable to discharge his duties due to illness or absence abroad. However, it is clear that there is concern and the press is already explaining the steps that should be taken if the worst case scenario occurs.

With ALL, Carlos III will continue to carry out his duties as head of state for the time being, including his weekly hearings with the “Prime Minister” Rishi Sunak, who declared yesterday that the tumor was “discovered in a timely manner”. “Our thoughts are with him and his family. He is now receiving the treatment he needs to fully recover. This is what we all hope and pray for. “Of course I am in regular contact with him and will continue to communicate with him as usual,” he told BBC Radio 5.

Buckingham Palace He did not disclose what type of cancer he has or what treatment he is receiving or when their inclusion in public events might be planned. These are crucial to ensure the continuity of the institution. For the leader of a parliamentary monarchy, the signatures he embodies in the documents he turns into laws are as important as the agenda he puts forward to the people. Elizabeth II already said it: “You have to be seen to be believed.”

Yesterday Charles III left. his official residence, Clarence House in London, to move to his country house in Sandringham in the English county of Norfolk. This made it possible to take his first picture since the royal family announced his illness on Monday. The monarch greeted excitedly through the window, accompanied by his wife Camila, who was seen with a serious face.

Cancer is not new territory for the royal family. Although he always wanted to keep it a secret. As the grandfather of Charles III. King George VI underwent cancer surgery in 1951People were told almost nothing about their condition. He died five months later, making his daughter Queen Elizabeth II at just 25 years old. After seven decades of the Elizabethan era, the ruler died in September 2022 at the age of 96. His death certificate listed the cause of death as “old age.” But Gyles Brandretha family friend, later said in a biography that he had suffered from a form of bone marrow cancer.

When Buckingham Palace announced this last month With Carlos III. a benign enlargement of the prostate was diagnosed. seemed to mark a new stage for an institution not previously known for its transparency. His wish was to share details about his condition to encourage other men experiencing the same symptoms to seek medical advice.

Now we are witnessing a completely different situation that has even activated protocols to inform a number of world leaders. The official statement was more opaque. By simply clarifying that it is not prostate cancer, you open Pandora’s box to all sorts of speculation. The British are worried. Many came to Buckingham’s doors to leave flowers and messages wishing him a speedy recovery.

There are constitutional mechanisms that would be activated if Charles III. could no longer fulfill his duties. The “Councilors of State” – currently Camilla (wife), Prince William (heir), Prince Edward and Princess Anne (siblings of the monarch) – can act on his behalf, but only temporarily and not for all actions. They could neither appoint a prime minister nor dissolve parliament.

Another option would be a regency that would allow Charles III. would allow his power as monarch to be transferred to his heir, the Prince of Wales, although he would remain head of state. And it’s a reversible process, so you can restore your agenda later when you recover.

The last resort would be abdication. But it’s not even considered as a possibility. The abdication of the late Queen’s uncle, Edward VIII, in 1936 triggered a major constitutional crisis, and the royal family has never forgotten its devastating impact. As Charles III. When he ascended the throne, he, like his mother Isabel II, committed himself to serving the people throughout his life. It must be borne in mind that the British monarchy is also a priestly monarchy, as was evident at the coronation ceremony in May at Westminster Abbey, when the king underwent a consecration ritual similar to that of a priest. No matter how much a priest stops being active, he remains a priest until he dies.

At the moment, it is other members of the royal family who have stepped up their agenda to cover the monarch. The main goal is to avoid the empty throne image. Princess Anneone of The Firm’s most active, attended a ceremony at Windsor Castle yesterday and then visited a community center in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire.

But all the attention is now on the Prince of Wales, William. The 41-year-old heir to the throne will appear again this Wednesday at an investiture at Windsor Castle, before attending the London Air Ambulance’s annual fundraising gala in London this evening. It will be his reappearance after more than a month without any public intention to care for his wife Catalina, who may not be able to return to work until after Easter after undergoing a benign “abdominal operation”, the details of which are not yet known . The situation is undoubtedly more than exceptional. The head of state is out of the picture and Catalina – who has become one of the pillars of the institution – is also on sick leave.

The fact that Prince Harry Arriving in London yesterday, less than 24 hours after he was told the news, shows that it is not a trivial matter. The Duke of Sussex, who has had no relationship with his family since cutting ties with the palace to settle in Los Angeles, met with his father at Clarence House before traveling to his country home. As at the coronation in May last year, Harry traveled to the UK alone, without the company of his wife Meghan or his two children.

The last time he was in London was last September at an event with an NGO, but he didn’t meet with his people. Many hope that the circumstances will now contribute to reconciliation with the possibility of Harry being the grandson and son of the king and brother of the future monarch Return to the institution where he once appeared as one of the most popular characters. However, at the time of going to press there were no plans to meet his brother, the heir to the throne, the Prince of Wales, on whom all eyes are now more than ever.

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