Britain’s King Charles III on Monday marked the first anniversary of his coronation following a difficult year that has seen a cancer diagnosis and continuing tensions with his estranged son Prince Harry.Catherine, 42, also known as Kate, announced her own shock cancer diagnosis in late March following abdominal surgery which had already forced her to withdraw from public life.
The double blow of both King Charles and Catherine’s ill health has left the royal family with a shortage of frontline royals with William also stepping back for a while to help care for his wife and family.
Queen Camilla, 76, stepped in to take over many of her husband’s engagements while King Charles’s sister Princess Anne and his youngest brother Prince Edward have also taken on more prominent roles.
But King Charles and Catherine’s absence was felt even more keenly as the king’s younger son Harry is no longer a working royal.
Harry dramatically relocated to North America in 2020 with his wife Meghan Markle.
Harry will return to the UK this week to attend a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games for disabled military veterans.
The domestic PA agency reported that he was “likely to be reunited with (King) Charles” at some point during his visit.
A demonstration organised by the anti-monarchy group Republic on Sunday, meanwhile, attracted around 100 people in Trafalgar Square.
Protesters shouted “abdicate, abdicate” and two large banners reading “abolish the monarchy” and “change (the) country for good” were hung in front of an art gallery.
Last year’s coronation saw tens of thousands of people line the streets of London and street parties held up and down the country.
Television images of the historic ceremony at Westminster Abbey was beamed around the world.
Source: