It took King Charles over fifty years to ascend to the throne. After the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2022, his reign officially began. However, discussions about the future of the monarchy have already shifted toward the time when Prince William will succeed him. Some have even suggested that it might be time for William to take the throne sooner due to Charles’ ongoing health struggles—he was diagnosed with cancer last year.
While this idea is intriguing, one royal expert believes it’s highly unlikely that William will take the throne from his father. When Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning British monarch, passed away in 2022, it sent shockwaves through the world, leaving many people in disbelief.
Prince Charles (left) and Prince William (right) are the faces of the royal family’s future. Credit: Getty Images
From a young age, Charles had been groomed for the throne, preparing to step in after his mother, who ruled for over seven decades. Despite being fully prepared to ascend, his cancer diagnosis has thrown a wrench in his reign’s beginning.
Although Charles remains upbeat, his health issues have raised the possibility that he may one day consider abdicating in favor of William. At the age of 73, he assumed the throne, but the recent challenges to his health have added weight to the argument that it might be better for the UK if he took a step back and allowed William to take on the crown.
But who could blame Charles for hesitating to relinquish the throne? After working for more than 70 years to get to this point, it’s understandable why he wouldn’t want to give it up easily. According to a source close to the royal family, Charles had come to terms with the idea that his reign might be shorter than expected, acknowledging his health challenges and their effect on his ability to rule. The insider told Woman’s Day in December that Charles is now grappling with the decision of whether it would be honorable to abdicate.
“He’s much weaker and tires easily, and doctors are urging him to slow down,” the source explained. “He knows that some of his royal duties have been neglected, but he’s been briefed on both the worst and best-case scenarios regarding his health.”
Many royal experts have noted that Prince William has quietly taken on more responsibilities, assisting his father behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace. While it’s impossible to say that anyone is fully prepared to be king, William has spent his entire life preparing for the role.
In theory, if Prince William were to take the throne tomorrow, he would likely do so with grace. However, some analysts believe that this transition will not happen anytime soon, as King Charles is not yet ready to step aside.
Royal commentator Hilary Fordwich shared with Fox News that William’s main goal right now is to support his father by reducing his workload while Charles undergoes cancer treatments. With plans for the royal family’s future well in place, Prince William and Princess Catherine are preparing for the leadership roles that await them. However, Fordwich added, “They are not actively pursuing an immediate ascension.”
The future of the monarchy remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Prince William and Princess Catherine are already preparing for the day they will one day take the throne, though that day may still be some time off.