A grandmother who owns the world’s largest collection of regal memorabilia says King Charles’ cancer diagnosis is the “biggest crisis” the royals have faced in her lifetime.
Anita Atkinson was left shocked after Buckingham Palace announced the monarch was stepping down from royal duties yesterday (5 Feb).
The 66-year-old believes that the country and the commonwealth need to “rally” and show their support for the King during this “strange” time.
As Charles takes time out of the spotlight to undergo treatment, the public has been left wondering which working royals will take on extra roles in his absence.
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But Anita, of Crook, County Durham, says that the country has been left with minimal options.
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Prince William has been caring for Kate following her abdominal surgery.
However, Anita praises Queen Camilla for her recent public work and for keeping a “brave face” despite The King’s illness.
The grandmother-of-four was left in disbelief at the royal’s diagnosis as he has lived a healthy life.
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Anita said: “This is the biggest crisis in my lifetime, without a doubt.
”It doesn’t match history.
”My worry is that we don’t have enough members of the royal family now to do the work.
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”It’s the biggest crisis since the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936.
”There’s not enough people to keep this going.
”The King is the nation personified and it’s worrying to think how they’re going to manage this.
”We have Princess Anne – she’s been holding the fort for awhile, and is the strongest female we’ve got in the country.
”She can do it, she was born into it.”
She added: ”He has been speaking about causes such as the environment since the 60s but he’s never given up.
”He has been made fun of but has never given up – he has that inner strength in him.
”It’s a guessing game at the moment.
”Even though the announcement was public, it is a private matter.
”Who would want to live in the full glare of the world’s publicity when you’re seriously ill?
” It’s a cruel life, but he was born into it.
”But a diagnosis of cancer doesn’t mean a death sentence.
”We’ve never had anything like this before and now the whole country and commonwealth has got to rally.”
Anita has dedicated the past 45 years of her life to collecting keepsakes of the royal family.
She has collected over 12,777 royal artefacts, including 5,000 dedicated to the late Queen.
One of Anita’s most prized possessions is a framed napkin that was used by the new King Charles II on an aeroplane.
She has held the world record for the collection since 2001.
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