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Analysis: This is not a crisis for the Royals, but it is a test of resilience

By Jason Farrell, Home Editor

In Windsor this morning crowds lined the streets to watch as the Irish Guards entered the castle grounds with fifes and drums to swap duties with the Welsh Guards. Everything was as usual. The palace says that constitutionally the same applies to high-ranking members of the royal family, even if there is a temporary changing of the guard.

The king still holds audiences with dignitaries but has retreated from public appearances and there is a sense of frailty in the royal household.

The late Queen's former press secretary Ailsa Anderson says: “This is not a crisis, it is an obstacle in the way.”

But she added: “It is obviously very, very difficult and worrying because this is an institution based on stability and continuity and there are two key players who will be out of action for some time.”

The late queen had to step up her duties when her father fell ill with cancer in the late 1940s. Illness hastened her rise to the throne as he died aged just 56.

Queen Elizabeth II famously said, “I must be seen to be believed.”

How true that was for the Princess of Wales – whose disappearance from public view sparked a flood of conspiracy theories. Although she has reached out to people with her sobering reality, she will not be back in the public eye until medical professionals say she is ready for action.

For now, she can expect public curiosity to have been replaced by compassion, but there's clearly a lot on Prince William's shoulders.

He wants to spend as much time as possible with Kate and his three children and will be with them at least during the Easter holidays. But with his brother abroad and somewhat estranged from him, and his uncle Prince Andrew relieved of his duties, the circle of royal batsmen are available to hold the fort.

Constitutional expert Craig Prescott said: “There has been a streamlining. More emphasis was placed on a small number of royals. So if two are out of action, maybe that’s a bigger problem.”

Queen Camilla has become a key figure. She delivered a speech written on his behalf by the King in the Isle of Man this week, and next week she will play his part at the Maunday Easter service in Worcester; an important royal event.

The remaining support team, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, will also likely have a greater focus on her. Even Prince Andrew recently led the family at a memorial service in Windsor when William had to be with Catherine.

This is not a real crisis, but it is a test of resilience for the royals. They hope this is just a temporary situation, but we've learned over the last few weeks that while they crave privacy when they're sick, the public craves information. Finding this balance is just one of many challenges that lie ahead.