It took more than five decades for King Charles to finally ascend the British throne. Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, Charles began his reign at the age of 73.
Yet now, just a few years into his kingship, public discourse is already shifting toward the future reign of Prince William.
The reason? King Charles’ health. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2023, questions have swirled about whether he might consider stepping down to allow his son to take over.
Some have even suggested it’s time for Charles to pass the crown voluntarily, giving the country a younger monarch in the face of ongoing challenges.
However, according to royal experts, such a transition is highly unlikely.
“William can forget receiving the throne from his father early,” one analyst remarked bluntly. Despite the King’s health struggles, there’s little indication that an abdication is in the cards.
Charles waited his entire life to take the throne. As the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II, he was groomed from infancy to one day rule. When the moment finally arrived, it was bittersweet—Charles was prepared, but the start of his reign was quickly overshadowed by his diagnosis.
Although the King is said to be maintaining a positive outlook, royal insiders say the illness has taken its toll. A source told Woman’s Day in late 2023 that Charles has “come to terms” with the idea that his reign may be brief. “He’s much weaker and tires easily, and doctors are begging him to slow down,” the insider shared.
This has led some to wonder if Charles might step aside for William—not out of failure, but in a conscious decision to ensure stability and vitality for the monarchy. “He’s weighing whether it would be honorable to abdicate,” the source added.
Still, others argue that after waiting over 70 years to wear the crown, it’s understandable that Charles would want to serve as monarch for as long as possible.
In the meantime, Prince William has quietly assumed a greater share of responsibilities. Multiple royal watchers have noted that the Prince of Wales is increasingly involved in behind-the-scenes duties, effectively acting as a support system for his father.
While William has been preparing for kingship his entire life, insiders stress that neither he nor Princess Catherine is in a rush to ascend the throne. According to royal expert Hilary Fordwich, William is fully focused on helping Charles manage his duties while he undergoes treatment.
“William and Catherine are preparing for their future roles, but they are not actively pursuing an immediate ascent,” Fordwich told Fox News. “Plans are in place to help ease Charles’ workload, and William is already taking on more responsibilities.”
As the royal family adjusts to this new chapter, it remains clear that King Charles has no intention of abdicating anytime soon. For now, the crown remains firmly in place, with Prince William loyally by his father’s side.