Buckingham Palace has postponed a series of public-facing royal events, at a time when both King Charles III and Catherine, Princess of Wales are battling cancer.
But the postponement of the scheduled events is not in deference to the health issues of two of the family’s most senior members.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: King Charles returns to royal duties.
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After British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a snap general election, for July 4, the royal family is marking tradition by stepping back from public duties during election campaigns.
The long-held convention aims to not detract attention from campaigning.
The King’s schedule for the next week has been wiped.
The only event that remains is the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in both the UK and France.
“Following the Prime Minister’s statement … calling a General Election, The Royal Family will — in accordance with normal procedure — postpone engagements that may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign,” an official statement read.
“Their Majesties send their sincere apologies to any of those who may be affected as a result.”
Should Sunak fail in his bid to be re-elected — as suggested by opinion polls — a new prime minister would be the third PM in Charles’ short reign.
His first was Liz Truss who had the briefest stint in British history of only six weeks.
It was during this time that Queen Elizabeth died, aged 96, on September 8, 2022.
The election timing means the monarch’s official birthday event, The Trooping of the Colours, to be held on June 15, falls in the run-up to voting day.
It is unclear if the event will continue as planned.
The postponement of the royal schedules come weeks after Charles returned to some public-facing duties, having taken time off for cancer treatment.
The King was diagnosed with a form of cancer in February after undergoing surgery in January for an enlarged prostate.
His first appointment was at the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre where he met with patients and specialists on April 30.
According to multiple reports, Charles spoke to a fellow cancer patient, saying: “It’s always been a bit of shock, isn’t it, when they tell you.”
