Will they let the King stop if he is not well enough?

[JustWorryingABit]

Hi,

I just wondered - will they let the King stop doing all these engagements if he is not well enough to do it? I worry a bit because he doesn't look the right colour and his hands are kind of swelled up looking. I keep worry that it might be inhumane that people keep pusing him to do all these public engagements. Plenty of other people would be happy to be quietly retired by that age.

I've always liked King/Prince Charles and he seems like such a kind person. I worry a bit about him having to do a ton of stuff out of duty, when maybe it is too much to ask.

I just wondered if anybody knows.

Who are 'they'?

He's had puffy fingers and that complexion for years!!

No-one can force the Monarch to make tours when they do not wish to. ER II stopped making overseas visits several years before the end of her reign, and had begun to reduce UK ones considerably in the last couple.

Other working royals would carry out the tours instead. And there would be fewer of them. But they still go on; they just tend not to get much press attention when it's not the King&Queen or the Waleses (eg the Duchess of Edinburgh's visit to Chad last week, which got some serious coverage, but didn't grab the headlines)

According to the Queen, the King is v keen on continuing public duties, but will follow doctor's orders about the extent even though it irks him to slow down

Consider what happened when Elizabeth II's health declined - the same processes could be put in place for Charles. Other royals would take on engagements on his behalf, and if needed, the Counsellors of State (other senior royals) can perform his official duties.

It will be entirely up to His Majesty.

If he wishes to take things slowly, I'm sure he will.

The Queen will not let him overdo things.

It's a pity his useless brother Andrew can't help, but the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are doing all they can, as is the Princess Royal.

It will be his decision. There is no one making him do engagements he is not well enough to do except himself.
Who is the 'they' that you think is manipulating him?

Nobody can make him do anything, that's rather the point of being King. And there is no procedure for sacking a monarch who isn't up to the job, even one who is clinically insane, but in practice, other members of the family would take over his duties.

He can quit when he likes but I suspect that Wales’ are hoping that the children are adults before George becomes the Prince of Wales and William becomes King.

And there is no procedure for sacking a monarch who isn't up to the job

<coughs> James II/VII <coughs>

even one who is clinically insane

George III

I thought that, had death not intervened, ER II would have asked Parliament, when it reconvened that autumn, to install Charles as Prince Regent. And she would have divided her time quietly between Balmoral and Sandringham

He's had sausage fingers for ages and had a strange hue for a while. I'm sure it would be his decision, he's not exactly shy in coming forward.

I noticed his hands look swollen. Hope he is OK and it's just the heat.

He has always had fat fingers but I agree he looks unwell at the moment. Not surprising, considering the state of his health at the moment. I imagine the decision to travel was left up to him and his doctors so he must be fit enough. I reckon that he won't do anything between now and Christmas except for remembrance weekend.

Thanks, that's good to know.

I have seen comments about his appearance on Twitter but I don’t think he looks too bad tbh.

He looks like a pretty standard elderly man who’s well enough to travel and work a bit. Not someone who’s close to falling off his perch.

I am no fan tbh but I hope I’m right and that he has some years left. Hopefully his treatment has been successful.

He's had swollen hands and a ruddy complexion for some time but his palour hasn't been right since he's been on chemotherapy. I don't think he will have a long reign or be in good enough healthy to keep going in terms of years but I'd imagine that he's very keen for Prince George to be in his late teens before becoming the Heir to the throne. It's a lot of pressure on the Wales' given Catherine's recent poor health too.

The trip to Australia was ridiculously short given the travelling distance but I'd imagine it was arranged while his health allowed it.

I assume that the state of his wife's health would be a problem preventing William from stepping up right now, but fingers crossed he'd be able to take a more Regent-adjacent role soon if required.

And there is no procedure for sacking a monarch who isn't up to the job

<coughs> James II/VII <coughs>

<cough> Charles I

He is not doing any later afternoon or evening engagements.

The trip to Australia was ridiculously short given the travelling distance but I'd imagine it was arranged while his health allowed it

It was. The New Zealand leg was cut completely, and I think the rest was reduced considerable.

My guess is that (as I don't remember an announcement that his chemo/treatment is concluded) that there was a maximum time his doctors were happy for him to pause treatment.

I worry a bit about him having to do a ton of stuff out of duty, when maybe it is too much to ask.

He's waited forever for the job of a lifetime.

He'll retire in a box in line with tradition.

<cough> Edward VIII

Basically Parliament can change the rules of the monarchy however they like if following the existing precedent would be inconvenient, as long as there's a solid majority and fundamental public consensus.

I wouldn't worry op. I'm sure everyone is looking out for him.

He's going nowhere. Aside from the fact that he's waited his entire life to get the job, he probably wants to protect William and co for a while.

It's not like he's tied to a contracted number of hours, they can tweak things to his needs.

I don't believe she would have. She took her duty very seriously and never seemed to waver from her pledge to serve her entire life.