NOT Prince William, but THIS member of the Royal Family fills in for King Charles; Why?

Even in a monarchy, it’s all about hierarchy!

Especially if you’re a part of the British Royal Family, ‘protocols’ come before anything and everything else. And when the one wearing the crown isn’t available, there are certain rules regarding who can represent them at royal events.

Usually, when the monarch isn’t available, the next one in line for the throne is bestowed with the responsibility of carrying forward royal duties, provided the heir to the throne is of age.

However, during King Charles’ recent absence, it wasn’t Prince William who filled in for his father. Instead, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh stepped in.


What happened?

King Charles recently went to Italy on a state visit, along with Queen Camilla, and wasn’t available on April 11. Hence, the monarch was represented by Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, the wife of Charles’ youngest brother, Prince Edward. The Duchess of Edinburgh represented the King at the Sovereign’s Parade at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy on April 11.

Sophie, 60, inspected the troops of CC242 ahead of the parade, sharing a smile with some of the cadets, who had just completed 44 weeks of rigorous training.


The parade takes place three times annually and is usually attended by the royals once per year. While the monarch traditionally attends the December parade, other royals may also attend in his stead. Sophie has attended the event two times prior, in 2013 and 2019.

Sophie’s appearance at the April event might be in celebration of a historic moment for Sandhurst. This term’s parade featured the school’s first all-female Banner Party. The trio consisted of Company Sergeant Major Brunton of the Royal Army Medical Service (RAMS), who carried the Sovereign's Banner, Staff Sergeant Lewis of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, and Staff Sergeant Bradley from the RAMS, who was given special permission to carry a bayonet in the party.

Sandhurst has a special connection to the royal family — it's where brothers Prince William and Prince Harry had their military training.


Why didn’t Prince William fill in for King Charles?

While Prince William and Kate Middleton have been taking on increased responsibilities and public engagements to prepare for their future roles, especially due to King Charles’ cancer diagnosis and treatment, the senior royals didn’t step in during the monarch’s absence this time.

Why?

Kate and William may be spending time with their family largely out of the public eye during their children's school break this week.

After Catherine, Princess of Wales, came out with her cancer diagnosis last year, it was a massive blow to the British Royal Family, as the King was also undergoing treatment for the same disease. While Kate revealed that her cancer has been in remission a few months back, the King is still undergoing treatment for his disease.

In the middle of it all, Prince William has taken up as many responsibilities as possible and is showing up for both his father and his wife.


According to Cosmopolitan, “William has been incredibly supportive through Kate’s cancer battle—he’s really proven himself to be a remarkable partner when the going gets tough.” The source added, “His big focus has been on making the most of their time and this second chance at life together. That means more romantic dinners, more long walks, and more holidays.” The Wales family of five—William, Kate, and their kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—are currently believed to be on a multi-week Easter break, and from the New Year forward have traveled to such locations as the Alps (for skiing) and Mustique (for sunbathing in the Caribbean).

William and Kate are also reportedly “mapping out summer plans right now, with the usual family trips to Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly, but they’re also looking to take a romantic hideaway holiday just the two of them.”

The source also mentioned that the couple is “even talking about going back to the Seychelles, where they honeymooned.”

The couple is set to celebrate 14 years of marriage later this month.

As for the rest of the British Royal Family members, Prince William’s father, King Charles, is quite on board with “William taking time for his family so that Kate can recover,” and is backing William and Kate with his “full support,” per Cosmopolitan.