05 March 2024 , 15:57
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The Duke of Edinburgh turned sparring partner as he steadied a punchbag for a young boxer in Stafford.
Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, visited a Midland gym and gave 11-year-old Lacey Douglas a helping hand by holding a punchbag while she practised her right hook at The Right Stuff Amateur Boxing Club in Stafford. His visit was one of eight in the coming days as he travels from from Leatherhead to Leeds for various engagements.
The Duke was joined by the Duchess of Edinburgh on the royal engagement, ahead of celebrating his milestone 60th birthday on Sunday. His visits come as the slimmed-down working monarchy has been under increasing pressure, with the institution being branded "threadbare" and "depleted" of public-facing royals.
Many senior members of the royal family are currently absent, with King Charles undergoing treatment for cancer and the future Queen, the Princess of Wales recuperating from abdominal surgery. Prince William pulled out of a memorial service last week due to an undisclosed personal matter, although he has since returned to official engagements.
Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh visit Stafford (PA Wire/PA Images)The Queen, 76, has no engagements in her diary and is confirmed to be going on a "long-scheduled" holiday. A source emphasised to the Telegraph that the break was not due to exhaustion or related to her husband’s health. She has, however, had 13 official engagements since the King’s cancer diagnosis was announced on February 5.
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The Queen will be back in action on March 11 to represent King Charles at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. Camilla is said to be buoyed by the public's reaction to her leading the Royal Family over the last few weeks.
A royal source told The Times: "Although she was not expecting to find herself in the position of leading the family, the Queen is absolutely prepared to do whatever needs to be done for the institution. She has found reserves of energy that even she didn't think she had, and the estimation of her by those inside the palace has soared as she has put her shoulder to the wheel."