Early elections in the United Kingdom also affect the British Royal Family

Charles III, despite sitting on the British throne after 70 years and 214 days as heir to the crown, always wanted to be a present and traveling king and maintained a frenetic pace despite his age. The truth is that he was on the right path until the discovery of cancer, which was announced on February 5, 2024, which kept him away from official personal events except for specific moments, until his big return on April 30, 2024. .

Charles III seemed unstoppable, but he had no choice but to slow down, not because of his health specifically, but because of the political situation in the United Kingdom. On 22 May 2024, Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, announced a snap election. Before his public appearance from Downing Street, the Prime Minister announced his intention to present the election date to the King in a private audience at Buckingham Palace. The King agreed to dissolve Parliament, thus enabling the Prime Minister to implement his plan. This way the UK votes on 4 July 2024, and from there a third Prime Minister under Charles III could emerge if Labor wins the election and Keir Starmer forms a government.

The country will hold a snap general election on July 4, 2024, so the British royal family must maintain a lower profile than usual and postpone events that might distract too much attention from the campaign and elections. “Following the Prime Minister’s statement calling for a general election, the Royal Family will, in accordance with usual procedure, postpone commitments that may appear to distract or divert attention from the election campaign. Buckingham Palace said: “Their Majesties send their sincere apologies to all who may be affected.”

In this way, Carlos III canceled the events that he would have held on May 23 and 24, 2024, expressing his regret for the inconvenience and hoping to be able to carry them out at another time. In addition, it is expected that a series of these events will be rescheduled for other dates, which, going to specific cases, leaves Charles III space to focus more on his recovery, and for Prince William more time to be with Kate Middleton, with whom he remains on sick leave while… Receiving treatment for the cancer he suffers from.

Visiting the Emperors of Japan

However, there are a series of formal obligations that will be fulfilled. One of them is the presence of the British royal family at the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Normandy landings. The King, Queen, Prince of Wales, Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Anne, accompanied by Sir Timothy Lawrence and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, will hold events in the United Kingdom and France, between 5 and 6 June 2024. Everything remains the same.

They are works of great importance, as well as being Carlos III’s first trip abroad since he began treatment for cancer. Taking into account the above and that there will be a month remaining before the British elections, it is not considered advisable to cancel the attendance of members of the British Royal House.

In addition to commemorating D-Day, there are expected to be no problems celebrating Trooping the Colour, the Order of the Garter Parade, Holyrood Week, King’s Week in Scotland, or Royal Ascot. . However, the state visit of the Japanese emperors, scheduled for the end of June 2024 and announced with great fanfare, is still up in the air.