Antoine Micheland on Charles III’s cancer. “Obviously, it’s a big earthquake.”

75-year-old King Charles III is suffering from “cancer”, Buckingham Palace announced in a press release on Monday, February 5. The palace clarified that he does not suffer from prostate cancer. “A separate problem was noted during King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostatic hypertrophy,” and “subsequent tests revealed a form of cancer,” the official letter said.

According to the palace, the king “feels completely positive about his treatment and hopes to return to his public duties as soon as possible.” Antoine Micheland, a senior reporter for the magazine, and a Windsor specialist, was contacted by phone Opinionstrongly reacts to this news, which is already shaking the United Kingdom.

Madame Figaro .- How did the United Kingdom react to the news of Charles III’s cancer?
Antoine Micheland. It is a little early to say. But it’s obviously a big earthquake. The English media are already on the scene. They are very reactive and are already trying to make assumptions. Especially knowing what to do if the king is unable to carry out his powers, which also means Harry’s return to London. We imagine it’s either because he’s serious about it, or to reconcile with his father, or to put himself back at the center of the royal family, even if I find it unlikely that he’ll do a 180 and to resume. service with the Windsors. On the other hand, I remain very surprised by the current transparency shown by Buckingham Palace, it is something very new. For Queen Elizabeth II, we only knew about her health problems after the fact. Here, Charles III officially announces his cancer. Of course, he doesn’t tell everything, but he shows quite unprecedented transparency. This contributes to this desire to modernize the monarchy. When we think of the health reports of our French presidents, it is exemplary.

Given the upbeat Buckingham Palace press release on Charles’ recent hospitalization, are we to believe that this cancer is a surprise?
There are many possibilities. Either the surgeons found cancer in the lower parts of the prostate while operating, or the biopsy revealed something. But I think that the diagnosis was unexpected.

The sick king of England, what does that mean?
Everything depends on the severity of the cancer, the nature and duration of the king’s possible unavailability. So far Charles III says well. he continues to be king. He does not come under the regent. He could very well have asked his son to fill his duties during his unavailability, but we are not there yet. The king remains at the helm and is always able to perform the minimum service, to exercise all his powers; sign royal decrees, consult red box [cette fameuse mallette rouge de la monarchie parlementaire britannique qui sert à transmettre des documents confidentiels et des notes, NDLR]…Even if the state adviser has the right to sign in his absence. If his condition worsens and the situation drags on, he will have to hand over some of his responsibilities, particularly to William, the main heir to the throne. He could also send Princess Anne or Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, instead. But in this case, for official and strategic trips, such as Charles and Camilla’s planned state visit to Australia in the autumn, the monarch may be replaced by William. There are indeed desires out there to leave the Crown while remaining in the Commonwealth, and it is a tempting move to avoid a referendum that would force Australians to choose between remaining a monarchy or entering a republic.

In addition to William, who in the first line and logical number 2 could Charles III activate to carry out the missions of the royal family?
The royal family is not completely abandoned. There is also Anne, who has made impressive commitments since her brother’s accession to the throne. Charles III can also count on the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, who are very active in that area. The possibility of restarting the other members of the royal family cannot be ruled out. It can be imagined that we will call Princess Beatrice and Eugenie more. Although their father, Prince Andrew, is out on the Epstein case and won’t be back, they can be called on if needed.

Cancer among the Windsors, is this unprecedented?
Not at all. Charles III’s grandfather, George VI, suffered from lung cancer. He contracted pneumonia in 1951, and a few months later, on February 6, he died in his sleep. It was actually unexpected, so much so that Elizabeth II was in Kenya on a state visit at the time.

Does this risk weakening the British monarchy?
Overall, the timing is a little tough. Even more so with the setbacks of Harry and Meghan, who have left an active life at the royal level, and Andrew’s legal problems. So obviously the Royals have seen key players leave the game in recent years. This backlog of arrangements means that this announcement of Charles III’s cancer does not come at the right time.

What role will Camila play?
Camilla definitely has a role to play. She is already a queen and a state councillor. This therefore entitles him to indemnify some of the king’s obligations. She was seen in the field performing official duties, especially during her husband’s hospitalization. Having said that, once again there is no question that Charles III is not fulfilling his powers. He assured. the show must go on. Its communication should go in this direction. The King celebrated mass at St Mary Magdalene parish in Sandringham on Sunday to show that all is well.