Experts say that British monarch King Charles will miss the major royal event for the first time on Monday since being diagnosed with cancer, but there are no signs of him withdrawing from public view or considering abdication. Charles, 75, has had to postpone all of his public engagements since Buckingham Palace announced nearly a month ago that he is set to undergo treatment for an unspecified type of cancer. The news shocked the country, where the king ascended the throne less than 18 months ago following the death of his mother after 70 years on the throne of the United Kingdom.
His absence will be strongly felt on Monday when he misses events celebrating the Commonwealth, a union of 56 countries that emerged from the British Empire. Commonwealth Day is an important annual event on the royal family’s calendar, and Charles is the Head of the Commonwealth, a position his mother cherished deeply. On this day, senior members of the royal family usually attend a service at Westminster Abbey in London, where Charles was crowned last year.
Despite not attending in person, as his wife Queen Camilla will lead the royal duties, Charles will deliver a speech via video, in the latest indication that he is fulfilling his official responsibilities. Since the announcement of his illness, he has been seen hosting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in their regular meeting. Last week, he was photographed greeting foreign dignitaries and participating in a video call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
