It went largely unnoticed, but in the Daily Beast’s latest Royalist column, Tom Sykes wrote: “Courtiers have said they expect the Waleses to be largely out of the public eye until after Easter.” As in, Prince William will probably be absent from royal work for the same amount of time as his wife, who is recovering from abdominal surgery. Kensington Palace has spent the past two weeks steadily extending the timeline for when Kate AND William will be back to work. Which makes it even more important that the other “working royals” are seen out and about in the next four months, and that’s why they’re doing so much to hype Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and the Duchess of Edinburgh’s schedules.
Meanwhile, Prince Edward has basically gotten a two-week block of time off. Last week, Edward completed a four-day trip to South Africa, a trip which was barely covered anywhere, domestically or internationally. As the Telegraph noted, Edward has an event scheduled for February 8th, and Edward is currently “taking a short break from public duties after his trips overseas in January to South Africa and St Helena.” This caused a minor panic because what if another “working royal” is struck down or needs some time off? The slimmed down monarchy is near collapse as it is! But no, Edward just needed two weeks off.
The royal family is relying on just a few members to keep up with duties. Both Kate Middleton and King Charles were discharged from the hospital on Monday following their respective surgeries, and the palace said the Princess of Wales, 42, and the King, 75, would take more time to recuperate privately. Prince William has also cleared his calendar to be by his wife’s side and support their family during this time.
Now, another royal is taking some time out of the public eye. Prince Edward, 59, is taking “a short break from public duties after his trips overseas in January to South Africa and St. Helena,” The Telegraph reported on Tuesday. The Duke of Edinburgh had a busy itinerary during four days away last week, paying an official visit to South Africa, a Commonwealth country, and St. Helena, a British Overseas Territory.
It’s standard for the royals to take a short time off after busy trips. A look at the Royal Diary suggests that Prince Edward is not expected to step out again for another week. On Feb. 8, the Duke of Edinburgh is scheduled to attend a reception at the Institute of Physics and a talent showcase at The Savoy as patron of the Production Guild of Great Britain, according to the calendar of the British royal family’s upcoming engagements.
As I said yesterday, that’s always the Royal Math™ – four days of traveling abroad equals two weeks off. A week abroad equals a month off. Edward’s two-weeks off from royal work wouldn’t have even made any headlines if not for the fact that the slimmed-down monarchy is currently limping along in Camilla’s orthopedic wedges. Now, all that being said, something IS up with Edward and Sophie. I have a vibe. Still, I hope Edward is doing okay and this whole thing was about laziness and nothing else.
The Duke of Edinburgh is in St Helena! 🇸🇭
🐢 HRH was welcomed to one of the most remote inhabited islands by Jonathan the Tortoise, who, at 191 years old, is the oldest living land animal in the world!
Click to read more about HRH's time on the island so far! 👇
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) January 25, 2024
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arriving with Lady Louise Windsor (right) and the Earl of Wessex (left) at Westminster Abbey, central London, ahead of the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.,Image: 774175230, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Andrew Milligan / Avalon 
(L-R) – King Charles III , Queen Camilla, Sophie – The Duchess of Edinburgh and Edward – The Duke of Edinburgh on the balcony at Buckingham Palace inLondon, England, UK on Saturday 17 June, 2023 after The Annual Trooping The Colour for the Kings Birthday Parade.,Image: 783936035, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon 
The Duke of Edinburgh speaks during the Commonwealth Youth Awards at St James’s Palace in London. Picture date: Thursday September 14, 2023. NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS,Image: 805236507, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
The Duke of Edinburgh speaks during the Commonwealth Youth Awards at St James’s Palace in London. Picture date: Thursday September 14, 2023. NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS,Image: 805236517, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon 
The Duke of Edinburgh speaks during the Commonwealth Youth Awards at St James’s Palace in London. Picture date: Thursday September 14, 2023. NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS,Image: 805236562, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon 
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 11: Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh attends The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall on November 11, 2023 in London, England.,Image: 821399419, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 12: Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh during the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph on November 12, 2023 in London, England. Every year, members of the British Royal family join politicians, veterans and members of the public to remember those who have died in combat.,Image: 821534893, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: PA OUT, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon 
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, attend Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene church, Sandringham, United Kingdom, on 25 December 2023.,Image: 832317031, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Arthur Edwards / AvalonncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcW1la4F6e8%2BroKeblZSypcPAq5uYqpWWua3FvqOsrKyPo7KmsMSdlq2vn5TEprHKrJaonpaUrqfAxKuWmpeWpMKzecOasJisop69oK3Bq6aanF8%3D