On February 4th, Charles III made his first public appearance alongside Camilla after a week of post-operative convalescence. However, the announcement of a cancer diagnosis has shaken the royal order, marking a turning point in the Crown’s communication, which opts for transparency.
On February 5th, Buckingham Palace revealed in a statement that Charles III was suffering from a form of cancer, without specifying its nature. This unexpected announcement raises many questions about the future of the British monarchy. The optimism that the palace is absolutely trying to display is not enough to completely soothe minds. Especially after the hasty arrival of Prince Harry in London, a sign that the situation could be more serious than announced.
The choice to openly share this diagnosis breaks with the royal family’s traditional discretion on health matters. Especially since other family members have recently had health problems, such as the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton who had surgery in the abdominal area, but also Sarah Ferguson, who has malignant melanoma.
This news has sparked a wave of support both in the UK and internationally, with recovery messages from leaders around the world. With this transparency, the image of the English monarchy has definitely changed.