Prince William and Kate Middleton are feeling “intense anxiety” over the idea of taking the reins from King Charles III, according to a royal expert.
Since announcing his cancer diagnosis publicly in February, the 75-year-old monarch was forced to hit the brakes on much of his royal agenda and has undertaken less public-facing duties.
The following month, his daughter-in-law Middleton revealed that she is in the midst of her own battle with cancer.
As Charles continues to receive treatment for his condition, the Prince and Princess of Wales have reportedly been at the center of ongoing succession talks — which have left them feeling “intensely anxious.”
“News of Charles’ cancer has put William and Catherine in frightening proximity to ascending the throne,” former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown wrote, per the Mirror.
“The prospect of it, I am told, is causing them intense anxiety.”
Once William, the heir to the throne, becomes king of the United Kingdom, it’s expected that Middleton, 42, will be crowned queen and take on a lot more royal engagements than ever before.
As two senior members of the Firm undergo treatment for their respective diagnoses, the royal family has been forced to undergo a major reshuffle.
Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, have each taken on a more active role in the king’s absence.
Still, Charles isn’t looking to remain out of action for long.
Royal sources claim the king is in the planning stages of a two-week Australia tour with Camilla to commence later this year.
Charles is said to be “supercharging” plans for the upcoming trip, which would also see him visit New Zealand and Samoa, insiders told the Sun.
“The king is raring to go after a significant amount of time off due to his cancer diagnosis,” the insider said, adding that Charles is “over the moon” that his cancer treatment has started well.
The Princess of Wales revealed her cancer diagnosis to the world in March. BBC Studios
“He knows he can’t hang around and is feeling extremely positive after tests meant he could attend the Easter Sunday service and spend time meeting the public, which he has missed.”
It comes as the monarch’s former butler Grant Harrold revealed that “workaholic” Charles has come to feel “frustrated” over the current face of the monarchy.
