Kate Middleton and Prince William are now preparing for roles they might assume sooner than expected, with King Charles continuing to battle cancer, as revealed by royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith.
According to Smith, the King, despite his determined approach to his royal duties, has had to adjust to certain limitations imposed by his treatment. This has led to William stepping into more responsibilities earlier than anticipated, alongside Kate, as they prepare for their future positions.
After ascending the throne in May 2023, King Charles, now 76, disclosed in February 2024 that he had been diagnosed with cancer following a routine hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement.
Kate shares her emotional journey through cancer treatment as royal duties await
An insider described the current atmosphere for the Prince and Princess of Wales as a “calm before the storm,” with the couple poised to take on the monarchy’s most important responsibilities. While Kate’s health has been a top priority, this period has also allowed them to reassess their priorities and prepare for what lies ahead.
William’s readiness for his future role was evident when he recently represented his father at the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Meanwhile, it has been a challenging year for Kate, who, at 42, faced major health issues.
Early in January, the Palace announced that she would undergo abdominal surgery, and her absence from public engagements in the months that followed fueled unfounded rumors. In March, she put those rumors to rest in a candid video where she revealed her cancer diagnosis and ongoing chemotherapy treatments, admitting that the news had been a “huge shock” for the family.
Kate explained that they chose to keep her diagnosis private to give their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—time to process the information before making it public. In September, she shared another update, announcing she had completed her chemotherapy. Reflecting on the experience, she described it as “complex, scary, and unpredictable.”
Her most recent public engagement was the “Together at Christmas” carol service at Westminster Abbey, where she appeared alongside Prince William and their children. While speaking with singer Paloma Faith, Kate candidly acknowledged the personal difficulties she had faced throughout the year, saying, “I didn’t know this year was going to be the year that I’ve just had.”
