Exact Time William Will Replace Charles as King Revealed as Sources Claim the Heir Has ‘Already Unofficially’ Taken the Throne Amid His Dad’s ‘Deteriorating’ Health
Jason Pham
After years of rumors about when King Charles will hand the throne to his firstborn son, Prince William, well-wishers may finally have their answer.
A source told Rob Shuter’s “Naughty But Nice” Substack in a post published on March 2 that Charles is expected to give the crown to William within the next year. me: “The transition will look measured and dignified. Health provides the most unassailable explanation,” the source said, referring to Charles‘ battle with an unannounced form of cancer. Charles announced his diagnosis in February 2024, a month after he underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate. (Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles’ cancer was not prostate cancer.)
“Charles will not be seen as pushed,” the source continued. “He has waited a lifetime for this role. When he steps back, it will be entirely on his terms.” Though Charles hasn’t officially handed over the throne to William yet, at the time of writing, the source argued that William has “unofficially” been king for a while amid his father’s illness.
“In many ways, he’s already king unofficially. The institution is preparing emotionally, even if the paperwork hasn’t caught up,” the source said. The insider continued, “The monarchy survives because it adapts before it has to. If there’s a handover, it won’t feel like surrender. It will feel inevitable.”
A source also told Radar Online in a report published on February 28 that William plans to have a “business-like model” when he takes the throne, especially after the arrest of his uncle, ex-Prince Andrew, for allegations of misconduct in public office following his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“This has been personally bruising for William. He feels the weight of expectation more than ever, and there is recognition that the pressure is relentless. Some around him quietly think he would benefit from professional support, like therapy, simply to process the enormity of it all,” the insider said. Another source added: “The Prince of Wales understands that trust, once damaged, is not easily restored. He is determined to modernize the institution so that transparency and measurable impact are built into its foundations.”
A third source further explained how Andrew’s scandal has affected William’s reign as king. “William’s instinct is managerial as much as ceremonial. He wants structures that can withstand scrutiny,” the insider said. “The Andrew investigation has reinforced his belief that the monarchy must operate with clearer lines of responsibility.”
The source continued, “There is genuine concern about the emotional toll this period is taking on William. He is set to carry the expectations of the nation while navigating family turmoil. That combination would test anyone.”
The insider also confirmed that William’s wife, Kate Middleton, backs her husband’s plans to run the throne more like a business. “For William, the immediate priority remains stability – for his family and for the country –as he gets set to try and establish a future monarchy defined less by tradition alone and more by accountability, purpose and resilience under scrutiny,” the insider said.
As for Charles’ cancer, a source told Radar Online in 2025 that the king’s health has “deteriorated” drastically since he was first diagnosed. “He is now shuffling around with a cane – and hitting the bottle, and in particular whisky, to numb the pain and despair he feels,” the source said, describing the state of his health as “a sad end for him.” The insider continued, “His health has deteriorated significantly in recent months.”
