In September 2022, Charles became the King of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth territories following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. After his official blessing and anointing ceremony, Charles’ coronation was held at Westminster Abbey eight months later with his sons Prince William and Prince Harry in attendance. Charles’ wife, Queen Camilla, was also blessed and anointed as queen during the ceremony. Charles expressed his gratitude for his mother’s reign and acknowledged the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty that now rested on his shoulders.
In the following year, several important events took place involving the royal family. In May 2023, Harry returned to California from his father’s coronation and experienced a near-catastrophic car chase with Meghan and her mother, Doria Ragland, in New York City. The Trooping the Colour ceremony in June marked the first time the military flypast honored Charles on his birthday. In December, Harry won a lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers, and the royals attended their annual Christmas church service. In January 2024, Charles underwent a prostate procedure, while Kate had planned surgery and canceled her public appearances for recovery.
In February 2024, it was revealed that Charles had been diagnosed with cancer, prompting Harry to visit his father and express his gratitude for the time spent together. Concerns about Kate’s health grew as public speculation intensified over her status after undergoing unspecified surgery. In March, Kate shared a family portrait on Mother’s Day, which later sparked controversy due to image manipulation. Kate was then diagnosed with cancer and began a round of chemotherapy. William continued his duties, attending the Diana Legacy Awards alongside Harry. In April, both Charles and Kate celebrated their wedding anniversaries and Louis’ birthday, with Charles making a public appearance at a cancer treatment facility.
As Charles and Kate focused on their respective treatments, Camilla and other family members stepped in to fulfill royal duties. Sophie, Duchess of Wessex, became the first working royal to visit Ukraine since the unrest, highlighting a shift in the responsibilities within the royal family. In May 2024, William and Kate’s daughter Charlotte turned 9 years old, with a new photo taken by Kate released to mark the occasion. With Charles and Kate taking a step back from their duties, other members of the royal family, including Camilla, William, Anne, Edward, and Sophie, have stepped up to represent the monarchy in various engagements.
Despite the health challenges faced by Charles and Kate, life in the royal household continued. Harry and Meghan focused on expanding their business endeavors under their Netflix deal, producing a cooking series and a docuseries about professional polo. Meghan also launched her American Riviera Orchard product line, showcasing a range of products including strawberry jam. As the royal family navigated through the trials of health concerns and public appearances, the spirit of duty and service remained at the forefront of their actions, ensuring that the legacy of the monarchy continued to thrive even in the face of challenges.
