10 HOT STORIES
Royal experts warn that Prince William’s change of plans is cause for concern
THE YEAR GOT off to a shaky start for the royal family, and it appears pressure is only mounting. Fears around King Charles’s health, following his cancer diagnosis in early February, continue, while the Princess of Wales is still on leave, recovering at home from abdominal surgery that will put her out of action until Easter. In the meantime, Prince William is stepping up more than ever, but even he recently pulled out of a memorial service for his godfather, King Constantine of Greece, a mere hour before the service.
Palace officials say his absence was due to a ‘personal matter’ and insist it was nothing to do with the King’s or the Princess of Wales’s health. And amid a huge amount of online speculation about Kate’s health last week, the Palace was forced to speak out, explaining, ‘Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess’s recovery and [that] we’d only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands.’ Nevertheless, royal experts are concerned.
‘William pulling out of the memorial service was unusual and significant,’ says Katie Nicholl, author of The New Royals. ‘For such a senior royal to pull out of an important occasion like this has set alarm bells ringing. Not only was William due to attend, he was scheduled to deliver a reading and his name was printed on the order of service. I think it shows how fragile the monarchy is right now and how much pressure William is under.’
Prince Andrew, who stepped down from royal duties five years ago, was instead drafted in and led the rest of the royal family in attendance to the memorial service – a move that further demonstrates The Firm’s fragility right now. ‘Having Prince Andre
