The newspaper cites royal expert and former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown as having put forward the idea that the Prince and Princess of Wales are perhaps not as enthused by the notion of ascending the throne just now as some people might believe.
Following King Charles’ shock cancer diagnosis back in January, William has been forced to step into his father’s role. Kate, meanwhile, will take on a more active hand in things once she is well enough to do so.
And while one might rightly assume that William has been groomed for the position of King ever since he was born, it would appear that the prospect is giving him cause for concern.
As per The Independent, Tina Brown said: “News of Charles’s cancer has put William and Catherine in frightening proximity to ascending the throne … The prospect of it, I am told, is causing them intense anxiety.”
Charles himself only took over from the late Queen Elizabeth in 2022 (having waited longer than any other heir apparent in British history), but released a statement in late January 2024 confirming that he had been diagnosed with cancer following a routine operation on an enlarged prostate.
Since then the King has been traveling back and forth between London and the royal estate of Sandringham, alternating between cancer treatment (which he receives in the capital) and time for rest and recovery.
Yet word of his sickness – and all that it might mean – was largely overshadowed by the mysterious circumstances regarding Kate Middleton after her “planned abdominal procedure”, which also took place in January.
Following almost three months of conjecture and intense speculation, the Princess of Wales too admitted that she had been diagnosed with cancer, much to the shock of royal fans around the world.
In the wake of the respective health issues experienced by Charles and Kate, the likes of Queen Camilla and Prince William have been forced to take on more responsibility with regards to their roles within the royal setup.
Reports have implied that the situation is taking a toll on Prince William, who is obviously of a mind to prioritize caring for his wife. Yet depending on how things go for King Charles, the Prince of Wales may be thrust into an even more central role sooner rather than later.
As for Kate, she’s expected to return to engagements when she’s feeling up to it. Kensington Palace initially proposed a timeline that said the Princess would be back in action after Easter, but that was long before it was announced that she was suffering from cancer.
Now it would seem that Kate will be given all the time she needs to adequately rest and recover. She deserves that much, in any case, as does Charles.
What do you think? Are Prince William and Kate Middleton ready to take over in the near future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box.