‘Dying’ Charles ‘Seriously Unwell’ as William Prepares to ‘Step Up Fast’—the King Is ‘Exhausted’
Ever since King Charles announced he had cancer, it has felt like the deadline for succession has been moved up. And considering he was the oldest person to ascend the throne in the first place, it was always clear he would not be King nearly as long as his mother was Queen. But what does that mean for Prince William, and what preparations have taken place?
According to Rob Shuter’s Substack, the King is “dying” and his health has forced Prince William to take on more royal duties. The gossip columnist reports that Charles is “seriously unwell but determined to carry on.” Not just that, the source added, “He’s exhausted, but he won’t stop. “Every morning he insists on reading his red boxes. He believes his service to the country is his calling — and he’ll keep going as long as he can.”
Related: Here’s what each royal inherited from Queen Elizabeth
But William’s influence is reportedly already being felt, as he was instrumental in getting Prince Andrew to renounce his royal titles amid renewed scandals about his connections to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Reportedly, Charles and William were in full agreement in demanding the move from William. And Andrew’s statement leaves no doubt that this was not fully his decision.
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Friday, Oct. 17, Prince Andrew said, “In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.”
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me,” he added.
King Charles was allegedly reluctant to take this step for a long time. The King, who has been receiving treatment for his cancer since the announcement he was sick in February of last year, has allegedly had several setbacks. “They’re quietly preparing William to step up — fast,” one courtier previously revealed. “The illusion of perfect health is collapsing. What we’re seeing is the reality behind the crown — a monarch in decline.”
Prince William has recently talked about how hard the past year has been, especially as he talked with actor Eugene Levy on his Apple TV+ series The Reluctant Traveler. “I’d say 2024 was the hardest year I’ve ever had,” he revealed, referring not just to his father’s cancer diagnosis but that of his wife, Kate Middleton. Unlike King Charles, Middleton is now in remission and has taken the slow and steady approach to returning to public life.
“You know, life is sent to test us, as well. And being able to overcome that is what makes us who we are,” William also said on the show. And as we all know, the next great challenge for him is obvious. And while his time comes, he is preparing as best as he can.
