The Royal Family: Is it Falling Apart 2 Years After Queen Elizabeth’s Death?
In the two years since Queen Elizabeth‘s death, the royal family is a mere shell of what it once was. Health issues, family strife, and calls for its demise dominate news about the House of Windsor. Is the monarchy really falling apart?
The monarchy is hanging on by a thread
Under Queen Elizabeth’s reign, her position was revered by those who admired her strength in the face of adversity and her respect for putting the country first. Since her death, King Charles has tried to emulate some of his mother’s most admired attributes including putting duty first and trying to keep the monarchy relevant in changing times.
However, the country’s love for the monarchy appears to be waning. In fact, the king seems to be less popular than his son, Prince William, and William’s wife, Kate Middleton.
Additionally, the major role the House of Windsor once played in the public sphere is significantly less. In just this year alone, Princess Anne, the hardest-working royal, suffered an accident, sidelining her for some time as she recovered.
Both Kate Middleton and King Charles have battled cancer, leaving them to deal with separate health struggles. Prince Andrew is no longer a working royal. Neither are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Therefore, the bulk of the work these past several months has fallen on Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
The monarchy has survived, but it has had to adapt. It has also lost some of the automatic deference it once inspired from its people. How can it survive and thrive in the coming years?
The monarchy needs to make more royal frontline faces to ensure their survival
Prince William and Kate Middleton may have to make the tough decision to put their children in the spotlight earlier than they planned. As Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are the monarchy’s future, their parents may have to utilize them sooner to keep the royal family an interesting part of popular culture.
Also in the wings are Prince Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. They are ready to take on more institutional roles and increase the royal family’s public visibility. However, King Charles has yet to decide whether or not to use them in that capacity.
The future, however, looks bleak for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s participation. They left their roles as senior royals behind in 2020. However, as with any familial situation gone sour, the tides could change, and perhaps someday, Prince Harry may work for the crown once again.
When will King Charles and Kate Middleton return to work as full-time royals?
Currently, one of the most popular royals, Kate Middleton, remains on a hiatus from full-time work. She was diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year and has since continued her recovery. As of a June Instagram update, Kate remains in treatment.
She wrote, “I am making good progress. But as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.”
Kate added, “My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.”
As for King Charles, he, too, continues treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer. He announced he had the disease in February 2024.
Charles continues to remain in the public eye on a modified schedule. However, the BBC reports that in October, Buckingham Palace confirmed Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort, will visit Australia. Then, the couple will head to Samoa for a Commonwealth summit.
A previously scheduled trip to New Zealand has been canceled. Charles’ doctors have advised against an extended visit for the monarch.
