According to reports, the king’s cancer diagnosis has made “everything more urgent”. However, a royal expert claims the planning would have been taking place 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, might be preparing to take the throne sooner than expected.

Last year, the king was diagnosed with cancer. The monarch, 76, has been undergoing treatment ever since and is reportedly doing well.

Last month, Charles was hospitalised after suffering “temporary side-effects” from his treatment. However, the hospital stay was brief, and he returned to work the following week.

Despite his quick recovery, it has really brought the reality of the situation into focus for many.

Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar, royal author Tom Quinn said: “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 continued.

“Officials and aides—people who work very closely with William and Kate and Charles—they’re all conscious that William might have to become king earlier than expected. Partly the cancer, partly simply [because Charles is] 76. He could go on another 10 years, he could go on for 20 years. But with the cancer diagnosis, it’s a wake-up call,” he said.

Conscious that William might have to become king earlier than expected.

Quinn also added that Queen Camilla “still worries” that her husband isn’t slowing down, despite his diagnosis. However, Quinn claims that the king has always been very “impatient”.

Meanwhile, royal author Robert Hardman added that the palace is likely “preparing William by giving him more of the sort of work that Charles would do”. He said Charles’ cancer diagnosis “has made everything more urgent”.

King Charles ‘not slowing down’ despite cancer diagnosis

In addition, royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith has said that there is evidence of fatigue from the king.

Speaking to the publication, she said: “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 then claimed that the king is directly involved in discussions about succession and plans, like his mother was before him.

The king “wants to make his mark” as monarch, Smith claimed. However, the king is now measuring the remainder of his reign in “years, rather than decades”.

She also added that William and Kate are “very much aware” that their time as the Prince and Princess of Wales may be “limited”.

Smith claimed that they’re likely preparing for it to happen “sooner rather than later”.

Royal Insider has contacted Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace for comment.

Will Charles abdicate to William?

Despite this being something the king could do if he wanted, there are no plans for him to do so.

The last king to abdicate was King Edward VIII, who stepped down from his role as monarch in 1936 after less than a year on the throne. His abdication eventually led to Charles becoming king.

However, the king will likely follow in his mother’s footsteps and remain on the throne until his death.

When did King Charles take the throne?

Charles took to the throne upon his mother’s death in September 2022.

Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, aged 96. Immediately upon her death, Charles became king.

He was crowned in an extravagant coronation on May 6, 2023, almost eight months after his mother’s death.