Prince William and Kate Middleton brace for increased responsibilities as King Charles' condition worsens.
Prince William is taking steps to prepare for his future role as King after a serious health warning for his father, King Charles. The monarch, who was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, is currently undergoing treatment for the life-threatening illness. Amid these health struggles, the Prince and Princess of Wales have been advised to ready themselves for the possibility of taking on greater responsibilities sooner than anticipated.
King Charles recently completed his first major overseas tour since his diagnosis, visiting Australia and Samoa with Queen Camilla. During the trip, he acknowledged the need to scale back on his official duties, following advice from his doctors to slow down. His comments marked a rare public admission about his health challenges, which have been an increasingly concerning issue behind the scenes.
A source told In Touch Weekly that while discussions about Charles' condition are not openly held, there is widespread awareness within the royal family that his health is deteriorating. "The last thing Kate and William want is for Charles to abdicate," the insider explained. "They want him to continue for as long as he wishes, but the reality is that his age and condition mean that William's time to step up may come sooner rather than later."
As the Prince and Princess of Wales face the prospect of taking on more duties, they are reportedly preparing both mentally and practically for the transition. While they hope to support King Charles in his role for as long as possible, they are also bracing for the increasing likelihood of stepping into leadership roles in the near future.
