Buckingham Palace shifts responsibilities to Prince William amid ongoing concerns about the King’s health
Prince William has been placed on standby by Buckingham Palace to assume the throne at a moment’s notice as King Charles continues weekly cancer treatments. While official updates about the King’s condition have been cautiously optimistic, palace insiders acknowledge growing concerns about the length of his reign.
The decision to share details of the King’s health was itself unusual. Charles’s former butler, Grant Harrold, noted that the late Queen Elizabeth would have kept such matters private. “It’s good that they’ve been so open about it. That’s really unusual,” he told GB News. Harrold also stressed that William, along with Catherine and Queen Camilla, has already begun taking on a larger share of duties.
Since his diagnosis, Charles has scaled back public engagements, though aides emphasise that he remains committed to his role. Harrold explained that this shift is part of a wider plan to ensure William is fully prepared for his eventual responsibilities. “William stepping up is important because one day that will be his role,” he said.
He drew a parallel with Queen Elizabeth, who often stood in for her father, George VI, before his death from cancer in 1952. Those experiences helped her transition seamlessly to the throne. Similarly, the palace is now ensuring William gains the same level of preparation.
“What you don’t want, God forbid, is that something happens to the King, and William’s going, ‘What do I do?’” Harrold said. “So it is good that he’s getting the experience now.”
