LONDON – The British Royal Family is no stranger to periods of immense adversity, having weathered scandals, divorces, and personal struggles throughout its centuries-long history. But as 2024 unfolds, the monarchy finds itself confronting a devastating double blow – the cancer diagnoses of two of its most prominent members, Kate Middleton and King Charles III.
This grim situation has sparked fears of a new “Annus Horribilis” or “Horrible Year” reminiscent of 1992, when Queen Elizabeth II uttered those now-infamous words to describe a year marred by marital woes, a fire at Windsor Castle, and intense public scrutiny.
“It feels like we are back there again,” lamented Nana Akua, a concerned host on GB News, as she discussed the royals’ recent health crises with the veteran royal commentator, Lady Colin Campbell.
Lady Colin acknowledged the uncomfortable parallels to that tumultuous period three decades ago. “I think to an extent you’re right, because so much that’s untoward has gone on,” she said, noting the slew of adversities the family has faced in recent years beyond just the medical ordeals.
The troubles began in 2020 when Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepped away from their royal duties in a move dubbed “Megxit,” causing a rift with the rest of the family. More recently, intimate videos of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs with teenage pop star Justin Bieber surfaced, sparking concerns about potential sex trafficking.
But it is the health battles of the Princess of Wales and the monarch himself that have captured global attention and reignited fears of a modern “Annus Horribilis” for the House of Windsor.
Kate Middleton, the wife of heir apparent Prince William, was diagnosed with a form of cancer in recent months, according to reports. While specific details have not been made public, the 41-year-old princess has spoken about undergoing “preventative” therapy, offering a glimmer of hope about the gravity of her condition.
Her father-in-law, King Charles III, has also been affected by the insidious disease. At 74 years old, the newly crowned monarch is said to be privately battling cancer as well, compounding the family’s woes.
“William and Catherine are coping as positively and as well as they can,” Lady Colin remarked. “They’re both very levelheaded people, they’re not drama queens like Harry and Meghan, they’re not going to make a drama into a crisis. And they’re going to be coping with this in as measured and sensible a way as possible.”
The term “Annus Horribilis” was coined by Queen Elizabeth II herself in a speech marking her 40th year on the throne in 1992. That year saw a perfect storm of crises engulf the royals – from the separations of Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, to a devastating fire at Windsor Castle and the explosive biography “Diana: Her True Story.”
Most damagingly, transcripts of an intimate phone conversation between Princess Diana and her alleged lover James Gilbey were leaked and published, revealing the extent of her marital woes with Prince Charles, who was also rumored to be having an affair with Camilla Parker Bowles.
The Queen looked back on 1992 as “not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis.'”
Now, over 30 years later, that same dark cloud seems to be looming over Buckingham Palace once more as the younger generations of royals grapple with immense personal trials.
While their specific medical situations remain private, the heightened media scrutiny and public concern are palpable. The royal family’s ability to maintain a stiff upper lip and “Keep Calm and Carry On” in the face of such daunting challenges will be put to the test.
For King Charles, who assumed the throne just last year after the death of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, the added strain of illness could not come at a more inopportune time as he works to solidify his reign and rally national unity.
And for Kate Middleton, a future queen consort and mother of three young heirs, her health battle carries immense implications for the future leadership and stability of the monarchy itself.
As the royal watchers and commentators debate whether 2024 will indeed be branded another “Annus Horribilis,” one truth is inescapable – the year has already proven incredibly horrible for the Windsor clan. How they weather this latest tempest will be a true test of the resolve and character that has allowed the Royal Family to endure for centuries.
