25 January 2024 , 14:32
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A small band of royals have been showing its business as usual amid the unprecedented double health scare.
King Charles is taking a short break from public duties as he seeks treatment for an enlarged prostate while the Princess of Wales will also be out of action until at least Easter following abdominal surgery. In addition, her husband Prince William has cleared his diary to help care for his wife.
This means that it has been left to Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, to be the current faces of the monarchy. And it seems that two of them, which many describe as 'secret weapons', have been secretly showing their support for the King.
Anne wearing the scarf again last week while visiting the University of Edinburgh (@SBSatEd/Twitter)In recent visits, both Anne and Sophie have been spotted wearing the same £115 chequered merino wool scarf, which is available from the King's Highgrove home shop in collaboration with the Prince's Foundation. Several other royals were spotted wearing the scarf on Christmas Day, including Lady Louise Windsor, with many believing it may have been a festive gift that the King handed out to all of his royal relatives.
And yesterday, during a visit to a school in London to discuss menstrual health, Sophie was seen wearing the scarf, while Anne sported it last week while visiting the University of Edinburgh - with many seeing it as a subtle show of support for the King. The scarf, named 'The Highgrove Heritage Scarf', is made from 100 per cent ultrafine RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) merino wool from Australia and features a design inspired by the iconic Prince of Wales check.
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The dwindling number of royals carrying out engagements means that Charles’s slimmed-down monarchy has been put under pressure in a way not seen before during his reign. Joe Little, of Majesty magazine, said the health troubles have compounded the problem facing the small band of working royals.
King Charles and Queen Camilla lead the royals to church on Christmas Day (AFP via Getty Images)He said: "The working members of the royal family have been under pressure to maintain the level of engagements undertaken by a much larger team in years gone by. Suddenly removing three of the most senior players because of health issues compounds the problem considerably, but at least the King will be out of action for only a relatively short period."
As well as Camilla, Anne, Edward and Sophie, other working royals are the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess - with the latter two appearing increasingly frail in recent years. All are in their 70s and 80s except for Edward, who turns 60 in March, and Sophie, who celebrates her 59th birthday on Saturday. Prince Harry, whose controversial accusations have left the royals reeling, and disgraced Prince Andrew remain in the line of succession but both have stepped down as working royals.