Queen Camilla continues to fulfill her royal duties amidst King Charles' cancer treatment, accompanied by Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester, a lesser-known working member of the royal family. The Queen, aged 76, recently attended an event at Buckingham Palace alongside Birgitte, who is married to Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth and a first cousin once removed to King Charles.
Despite being less in the public eye, Birgitte and Prince Richard are dedicated full-time working royals residing at Kensington Palace. They actively support the crown through various patronages, military affiliations, and official engagements. The duo played a significant role during the Queen's Anniversary Prizes ceremony, where 22 schools were recognized for their outstanding work in different fields.
During the event, Queen Camilla expressed gratitude to representatives from the Institute of Cancer Research for their groundbreaking work on breast cancer. The Gloucesters have been visible at key royal events, including the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth, King Charles' coronation, and other official ceremonies.
As King Charles focuses on his health, other working royals like Prince William are stepping up to manage public engagements. The Prince of Wales, aged 41, maintains regular contact with his father during this challenging period. King Charles recently met with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, marking his first in-person audience since revealing his cancer diagnosis.
Despite his health concerns, King Charles remains committed to his duties, albeit mostly behind the scenes. The Duchess of Gloucester accompanied Queen Camilla at the Queen's Anniversary Prizes ceremony, highlighting the royal family's unity during this time. The monarch's positive outlook and determination to be seen when possible have garnered support and well-wishes from the public and political figures.
Prime Minister Sunak expressed optimism about King Charles' recovery, emphasizing the early detection of the cancer. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the monarch's treatment is underway and clarified that it is not prostate cancer, despite being detected during a procedure for benign prostate enlargement. The King's resilience and the outpouring of support from various quarters reflect the unity and strength of the royal family during challenging times.
