Shortage of royals tests monarchy's fragility

Cover for an incapacitated King Charles is looking rather thin, especially with William facing his own problems

One principle of hereditary monarchy is that it is the institution, not the individual, that prevails - the "Firm" over the figure on the throne.

After King Charles's cancer diagnosis, Buckingham Palace and the government can point to laws as evidence that the well-oiled machinery of monarchy will continue to whirr efficiently as the king retreats for treatment.

Yet recent events have exposed the fragility of not only the king but also the state of the House of Windsor.

Charles, figurehead and focal point of the royal family, will be unseen. The Prince of Wales, as heir, will be expected to step up. But his wife is still recuperating from abdominal surgery, his children are young, and, aides have made very clear, they are his priority.

Joe Little, of Majesty Magazine, said: "It's difficult, particularly early in the reign. The fact that the Prince of Wales is also more or less out of the equation does expose the fragility of the monarchy. And hopefully that's something that will be addressed."

Despite the "keep calm and carry on" message from the palace, the language does betray uncertainty. Aides speak of the king "hoping" to continue with select meetings in private, of it being "too early" to know when he will resume full public duties and counsellors of state "not expected" to be necessary to stand in.