Prince William Is Stepping in for King Charles at a Major Royal Engagement

Prince William is adding another royal responsibility to his plate. The Prince of Wales–who’s Covers & Features as King Charles and Princess Kate undergo treatment for cancer–will be representing his father at a special D-Day commemoration this year. To ring in the 80th anniversary of the D-Day battles, Prince William will be traveling to Normandy, France, as the head of the British royal family among 24 other international heads of state on June 6. 

Prince Harry Reportedly Found Out About King Charles’ Hospitalization in the Media in a press release sharing the royal family’s schedule for the celebration. The Windsors will be divvying up responsibilities during the multi-day commemoration, which honors the battles on D-Day on June 6, 1944, that began turning the tide for the Allies to win World War II a year later. 

Prince William, King Charles, and Queen Camilla will be attending the UK’s national commemorative event in Portsmouth on June 5. However, while Prince William attends the Canadian commemorative ceremony and an international commemorative ceremony the next day, the king will be showing face at an event for the Ministry of Defense and the Royal British Legion at the British Normandy Memorial. 

While King Charles is a patron of the Royal British Legion, his decision to have Prince William go in his stead as the senior royal amongst international heads of state speaks to the new role that his eldest son is taking on. King Charles also recently appointed Prince William as colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps, a military role that he previously had for 31 years, and it looks like the Prince of Wales will only be taking on more royal duties from his father over the next few months.