Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis will have 'inevitable reduction' in royal engagements, says expert

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: An authority on monarchy has stated that an "inevitable" decrease in royal engagements will occur following the Princess of Wales and King Charles' announcement of their shared cancer diagnosis.

On Friday, March 22, Princess Kate announced her cancer diagnosis alongside the monarch. The mother of three revealed in a moving video message that she is currently receiving preventative chemotherapy.

Royal expert warns of 'inevitable' reduction in royal engagements

Following her stomach surgery in January, Kate revealed on Friday night that she had been diagnosed with cancer. She also praised the British people for their "wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery" in a video message.

The managing editor of 'Majesty' magazine Joe Little stated that two major figures being sidelined was a "significant moment for the monarchy" and that many people were "greatly shocked" by Kate's cancer revelation, per The Mirror.

"The statement was a great shock to so many people because the feeling was that the Princess of Wales was over the worst and on the road to recovery. I don’t think anybody expected her to tell us in such a direct, personal way that she has cancer," Little added.

The Royal editor further explained, "It’s a remarkable situation and a significant moment for the monarchy and the institution so early in the King’s reign that two senior figures should be out of action."

According to Little, a reduction in the number of royal events was "inevitable," and "the royal diaries will have been revised anyway because of these health considerations."

He claimed that Charles and Kate's public appearances were "clearly not on the cards for some time," and that the Princess' circumstances were "complicated" due to her young family.

In a public demonstration of unity, King Charles intends to lead the Royal Family at their yearly church service on Easter Sunday. He declared that he is "so proud" of the Princess of Wales for her bravery in revealing her unexpected cancer diagnosis to the public.

Queen Camilla's profile had 'come to the fore'

The editor stated that because Queen Camilla has had to attend more engagements alone, her profile has "come to the fore" in recent weeks.

With "all manner of high profile events" coming up, including Royal Ascot and the King's birthday parade, popularly known as Trooping the Colour, Little stated that June will mark the "time of British pomp and pageantry."

Although Camilla will "certainly" be attending engagements that "she otherwise would have not done on a solo basis," Little said that he "did not anticipate" the Queen's itinerary becoming any busier than it had already been, per The Mirror.

This includes the yearly Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral on March 28, when Camilla will distribute the Royal Maundy gifts on behalf of Charles.

"The number of engagements that she is undertaking hasn’t increased, but her visibility and her profile has come to the fore because she is currently the most senior member of the royal family operating," continued the managing editor of Majesty magazine.

Little stated that other royal family members would "always be there for the Queen" but "not the physical presence" on such occasions. He added that "the pressure is on a much smaller team" as a result of Charles's approach to a reduced monarchy.