Prince William and Princess Kate
Prince William and Kate Middleton are preparing to become King and Queen, according to royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith. This preparation has intensified due to King Charles’ health challenges.
Kate Middleton recently hosted her fourth annual “Together at Christmas” service at Westminster Abbey on December 6. This marked a significant return to public life following a period of chemotherapy treatment, which concluded in September. Her husband, Prince William, and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, also attended the service.
During Kate’s treatment, Prince William reduced his official duties to support his family. King Charles also scaled back his commitments due to his own cancer diagnosis. This led Prince William to represent the royal family at several events, including the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. King Charles has since announced he is cancer-free.
Both William and Kate have gradually resumed their royal duties. Their focus, according to Smith, is on preparing for William’s future role as King. “Although the King is carrying out his duties with typical determination, he has had to accept limitations during his cancer treatment. As a result William has been taking on more responsibilities, and he and Kate have been preparing for their future roles sooner than they would have expected,” Smith told People.
Royal staff reportedly began drafting succession plans after King Charles’s coronation in May 2023. These plans were accelerated earlier this year due to concerns about the King’s health. A palace source told People that this is “institutional preparedness.” They added, “Their circumstances will eventually change. Given what the future holds, it would be very sensible to build back slowly and prioritize family time.” Smith also noted, “There’s a sense of calm before the storm…They are next in line for the biggest job of their lives, and of course, Kate’s health has taken priority, but it’s also allowed everyone to take a step back and figure out what’s important right now.”
