While King Charles was on a trip to Italy with his wife Queen Camilla, he needed a royal family stand-in for the Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy, but his replacement was not who you'd think.
It wasn't his son William, the heir to the throne, who took his place. Instead, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh and wife of Charles's brother Edward, did the honors.
Why would this be the case?
Well for starters, William and Kate are on spring break with their children and were not available.
The royal family has been wracked with a double cancer diagnosis with King Charles and Princess Kate both receiving treatment.
At age 74, the King's disease is much more dire. He's still getting treatment, while Kate is already in remission.
Still, the medical issues have made the family more eager to spend time with loved ones rather than fulfill endless royal duties.
In addition, Prince William has been working triple duty whenever possible to help his wife and father have time to rest and heal largely out of the public spotlight.
Thankfully, there are plenty of other royals who can fulfill the obligation, even with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pretty much out of commission in the U.S.
Sophie's appearance at the parade made history, since it was the first all-female banner party at Sandhurst.
It's always a special time for the family since both William and Harry got their own military training there.
A source reported to Cosmopolitan, “William has been incredibly supportive through Kate’s cancer battle—he’s really proven himself to be a remarkable partner when the going gets tough."
The source also said the couple is making the most out of their time together and that there have been "more romantic dinners, more long walks and more holidays."
They will celebrate 14 years of marriage next month.
