Royalty loyalty?

The news was all over every front page. "Nation's shock as treatment starts," read one headline. "Get well soon, Sir. Your country needs you," read another.

It followed an announcement from Buckingham PalaceThe home of Britain's king or queen. on Monday. It said that cancer was discovered while the King was in hospital having an operation.

He had decided to tell the world to stop people wondering about what was going on. He hoped it would help people understand "all those around the world who are affected by cancer".

His treatment has already begun. Though Charles has not been kept in hospital, he has been advised to stop making public appearances.

He will continue to "undertake state duties" and meet the prime minister Rishi Sunak weekly.

Some of his duties will be taken on by Prince William. Prince HarryThe second son of Britain's King Charles III. He decided to leave the UK to move to the USA in 2020. was reported to be flying back from California to see him.¹

Messages of support have come from across Britain and around the world. The prime minister of BarbadosAn island nation in the Caribbean. Most of its inhabitants are the descendants of slaves who were traded under British rule. - which cut its ties with the royal family three years ago - said that she learnt the news "with great sadness".²

US President BidenJoe Biden is the current Democrat Party president of the USA. is sometimes considered hostile towards Britain. This is because his mother was Irish and he has criticised Britain's policies on Northern Ireland. But yesterday he said that he and his wife were praying for Charles's swift recovery.

It is hard to think of another world leader who would receive so much sympathy. Many people thought that goodwill towards the royal family would come to an end after the Queen's death. But it seems that has not happened.

Writing in Cherwell, Calvin Chan says the monarchy's survival is proof of the moderation that is typical of British politics.

No other country, he says, has managed to modernise without giving in to "the itch to ritually smash up and vandaliseDeliberately damage or break apart. its traditional institutions".

Is the British monarchy a force for good?

Yes: It provides continuity and stability at a time when many countries are very unstable. Sympathy for Charles has brought the nation together, and he has set a good example by publicising his illness.

No: It receives a lot of money which would be much better spent on other things. It reinforces the idea that some people are better than others just because they were born into a particular family.

Or... It depends entirely on who the reigning monarch is. Queen Elizabeth earned enormous respect and Charles seems to be doing the same, but that may not be true of their successors.