Prince William is reportedly getting ready for his future role as king as his father, Charles, continues to battle cancer.
Reports suggest that the king’s cancer diagnosis has made “everything more urgent.” However, a royal expert notes that the preparations for this transition would have been underway even before the monarch’s diagnosis last year.
Prince William being ‘prepared for role as king’
According to a source, Prince William and his wife, Kate, may be preparing to assume the throne sooner than anticipated.
Last year, the king was diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing treatment ever since, with reports indicating that he is currently doing well.
In the previous month, Charles was hospitalised due to “temporary side-effects” from his treatment. However, his stay was short, and he was back to work the following week.
Although his recovery was swift, it has served as a reminder of the situation for many.
Royal author Tom Quinn spoke to Harper’s Bazaar and mentioned, “The people I’ve spoken to have said that the succession planning, as they call it, began even before Charles’ diagnosis. I mean, he’s the oldest Prince of Wales to become king in history, so succession planning had begun before Charles came to the throne simply because of the age issue.”
Prince William ‘might have to become king earlier than expected’
Quinn then went on.
“Officials and aides—those who work closely with William, Kate, and Charles—are all aware that William may need to ascend the throne sooner than anticipated. It’s partly because of the cancer, and partly because Charles is already 76. He might have another 10 years, maybe even 20, but the cancer diagnosis is a wake-up call,” he said.
Conscious that William might have to become king earlier than expected.
Quinn also mentioned that Queen Camilla “still worries” about her husband not slowing down despite his diagnosis. However, he claimed that the king has always been quite “impatient”.
Meanwhile, royal author Robert Hardman noted that the palace is probably “preparing William by giving him more of the kind of work Charles would typically handle.” He stated that Charles’ cancer diagnosis “has made everything more urgent.”
King Charles ‘not slowing down’ despite cancer diagnosis
In addition, royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith has pointed out signs of fatigue from the king.
Speaking to the publication, she stated: “It’s safe to say that, even though he’s working as hard as he always has, that he doesn’t appear to be quite as robust as he once was. But, then again, he’s getting older.”
Smith also mentioned that the king is actively involved in discussions about succession and future plans, much like his mother was before him.
The king “wants to make his mark” as monarch, Smith noted. However, she observed that the king is now viewing the rest of his reign in “years, rather than decades.”
She further added that William and Kate are “very much aware” their time as the Prince and Princess of Wales may be “limited.”
Smith suggested that they are likely preparing for the change to come “sooner rather than later.”
Will Charles abdicate to William?
While it’s within the king’s power to abdicate, there are no current plans for him to do so.
The most recent monarch to abdicate was King Edward VIII, who gave up the throne in 1936 after less than a year. His abdication ultimately paved the way for Charles to become king.
That said, it’s expected that the king will follow in his mother’s footsteps and stay on the throne until his death.
When did King Charles take the throne?
King Charles became the monarch after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022.
Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96, and Charles instantly ascended to the throne.
His formal coronation was held on May 6, 2023, almost eight months following his mother’s death.
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