The British royal family will not be represented at the upcoming funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29 at the age of 100. Neither King Charles nor his son, Prince William, plans to attend the funeral scheduled for January 9 at the Washington National Cathedral. Instead, only Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, is currently listed to attend.
This decision sparks curiosity and speculation, particularly since the absences come on the heels of King Charles expressing his 'great sadness' at Carter's passing. With the world watching, one can't help but wonder if previous commitments or security concerns surrounding the high-profile event influenced their choices.
Security assessments have indicated the potential risks present at Carter's funeral, especially due to the expected large gathering of senior U.S. government officials, foreign dignitaries, and heads of state. ABC News has reported on these concerns, which have raised alarms about the funeral being seen as a target for violent extremists.
King Charles, who has been increasingly grappling with health issues since his cancer diagnosis early last year, has seen his son, Prince William, take on more engagements on his behalf. Most recently, William attended the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, where he had interactions with President-elect Donald Trump. Yet for now, neither Charles nor William appears on the Royal Diary's list of official engagements for the following week, leaving the reasons for their absence at Carter's funeral unclear.
The memorial service offers not just respect for the late president but also carries historical weight as it will occur shortly after Congress certifies Trump’s election win and just weeks before his second inauguration slated for January 20. Experts suggest the interplay of politics, health, and security concerns significantly complicates the royal family's involvement.
Interestingly, Jimmy Carter himself, during his lifetime, was often vocal about political matters, famously describing Trump as 'a disaster...in human rights and treating people equal.' His criticisms resonate within the current political climate, making his funeral's absence of major royal figures hard to overlook.
Carter's grandson, Jason, reflected the family's sentiments by sharing with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution how Carter was simply 'only trying to make it' to his milestone birthday on October 1, 2021, to cast his vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, marking the importance of civic engagement even in one's twilight years.
These intertwined narratives of royal protocol, political history, and personal health add layers to the discussion surrounding the royal family's absence from this significant event. Regardless of the reasons, the situation serves as a reminder of the complex relationships between global leaders and the royal family.
While tributes and reflections on Carter's legacy will take center stage during the funeral, the absence of King Charles and Prince William speaks volumes, leaving the public pondering the significance of such decisions during pivotal moments.