King Charles Makes a Request That's a Royal First Amid His Cancer Battle

Sammi Burke
·2 min read
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WINDSOR, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: King Charles III attends the Easter Service at Windsor Castle on March 31, 2024 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

As King Charles continues to seek treatment for his cancer, the royal firsts continue to rack up.

Most recently, the monarch's brother, Prince Edward, and his wife, Duchess Sophie, were asked to stand in his place during an event held to honor the 120th anniversary of a diplomatic agreement between the U.K. and France called the "entente cordiale," a "series of agreements signed...in 1904," according to the Royal Family, that paved the way for their cooperation from World War I to today.

While Queen Consort Camilla has filled in for the king, 75, on a handful of occasions throughout his treatment, which has also made history, this marks the first time his brother and sister-in-law have stepped up to the plate on his behalf.

It also marks the first time a country from outside the Commonwealth has taken part in the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, as French and British troops swapped roles at their respected Heads of State's palaces "in an unprecedented move."

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 8: Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh on behalf of King Charles III, watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace with France's Gendarmerie's Garde Republicaine taking part to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale - the historic diplomatic agreement between Britain and France which laid the groundwork for their collaboration in both world wars on April 8, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Victoria Jones-Pool/Getty Images)<p>Pool/Getty Images</p>

Prince Edward, 60, wore a pinstriped navy suit with a powder blue button-up and a red and navy striped tie for the occasion, while the duchess, 59, wore a baby blue dress under a soft cream-colored coat as the two inspected the troops the morning of Monday, April 8, alongside French Ambassador to the UK Hélène Duchêne.

The king has stepped away from a majority of his public-facing duties while fighting an unspecified cancer, although he did step out for the traditional Easter service with his wife, smiling as he waved hello to the public waiting outside.

According to Charles' nephew Peter, the king has remained "in good spirits" throughout the ordeal, though he remains "hugely frustrated" over being unable to "do everything that he wants to be able to do."

"But he's very pragmatic," Peter continued. "He understands that there's a period of time that he really needs to focus on himself."

Luckily, his family is all ready and willing to fill his shoes as needed.

Next: King Charles Makes History With Unprecedented Decision About Royals' Vacation Spot Balmoral Castle