Due to her cancer condition, which prevents her from attending official royal events, Kate Middleton is ‘replaced‘ by an important royal member, and this is shown in an official family portrait where, in place of the Princess of Wales, there is another key figure for the monarchy.
During the royal week held in Scotland, the most important members of the British monarchy posed for a family portrait, but the Princess of Wales was not present; her place was taken by another member of the family, so she does not appear in the snapshot published by the palace on its social networks.
King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Duke Edward of Edinburgh are the royals who were present in Scotland for the portrait; all of them are part of the Order of the Thistle, besides being the most important active workers of the monarchy at the moment.
The King and Queen with The Prince of Wales (known as The Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland) and The Duke of Edinburgh following the Thistle Service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today. pic.twitter.com/F45pt263Fg
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 3, 2024
Kate Middleton is absent from her royal responsibilities due to her cancer treatment, so she was replaced by the Duke of Edinburgh in the portrait since he replaced her during the royal week in Scotland, being by the royals side and as an important key of the monarchy during the princess disease.