King Charles and Queen Camilla have adjusted their schedule in response to this year’s general election, which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has set for Thursday, 4 July.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the royal couple announced that they have postponed all engagements “which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign.”
This marks another change to their diary after the monarch resumed public engagements in April following his treatment for cancer.
The decision follows King Charles’ meeting with the Prime Minister on Wednesday, during which they agreed to dissolve Parliament.
Buckingham Palace expressed the King and Queen’s “sincere apologies” to those affected by the changes. However, the palace assured royal fans that their appearances in Portsmouth and Normandy in June to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day will proceed as scheduled.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said on Wednesday: “Following the Prime Minister’s statement this afternoon calling a General Election, the royal family will, in accordance with normal procedure, postpone engagements that may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign. Their Majesties send their sincere apologies to any of those who may be affected as a result.”
If the Conservative Party loses the election, King Charles will see his third Prime Minister during his brief reign. He welcomed Mr. Sunak as his second PM just six weeks after ascending to the throne, following the resignation of Liz Truss.
The King and the PM are understood to have met at Buckingham Palace after Charles’ Prince’s Trust Awards reception.
The King and Queen won’t be the only ones representing the country abroad when they visit France next month.
While they are due to join the Ministry of Defence and Royal British Legion’s commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, Prince William is scheduled to mark the poignant anniversary alongside the Canadian government at Juno Beach Centre.
He will be joined by Canadian armed forces personnel and World War II veterans. The father-of-three is also expected to attend the international commemorative ceremony at Omaha Beach.
