Princess Kate is back in the full swing of royal engagements and doing great with her ongoing recovery, as talk grows that she and William are gearing up their preparations to rule – with the full blessing of King Charles – a source exclusively tells In Touch.
“It’s not a subject that people really talk about very openly, but everyone is aware that Charles’ health is failing,” the source says. “The last thing Kate and William want to do is to put a case forward for Charles to abdicate. They want him to go on as long as he physically wants to. But there is that horrible reality of the fact he’s not getting any younger, and his condition means that the time to step up will be sooner rather than later in the years ahead.”
Kate, 42, announced in a video on September 9 that she had completed her course of preventive chemotherapy treatments after first revealing her cancer diagnosis in March. “As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” the queen-to-be said.
She also said she was “looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months.”
As her recovery continues, she and her husband, 42, have been taking on more and more responsibilities under the royal fold. The move back into public life for the future king and queen comes on the heels of more cancer news for King Charles, 75, who had recently paused treatments to continue his break-neck work pace and tour of Australia in what a second source had previously told In Touch was “just another example of the extraordinary work ethic he got from his mother.”
Still, even as Charles’ cancer battle carries on supported by the best doctors the U.K. has to offer, things aren’t looking so rosy behind the scenes, according to the source, who says that the Prince and Princess of Wales are inching ever closer to the day they accede to the throne.
“The reality is they have to prepare themselves for that eventuality and brace themselves to deal with it, both mentally and in practice,” the insider says.
“This is becoming more and more at the forefront of their minds. And Charles couldn’t be happier knowing that his legacy will eventually be taken over by them.”
With wayward Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan Markle casted aside by the family, it’s more important than ever that the heir apparent and his dutiful bride assume their roles as responsible, professional royals. The fact they’ve been so successful in doing so thus far is not lost on Charles.
“They’ll be wonderful monarchs. William has been preparing all his life, but Kate has shown herself to be equally capable,” the palace insider adds.
“Charles is so happy William chose such a wonderful partner and future queen, it’s a big worry off his mind because he knows the monarchy will be in good hands.”
