illiam, the Prince of Wales, becoming king “may not be too far in the future,” a royal commentator has claimed.

The comment comes amid King Charles’ ongoing cancer battle, which he described as a “daunting and, at times, frightening experience”.
King Charles became monarch in September 2022 (Credit: Cover Images)

King Charles’ cancer

In September 2022, Charles became monarch upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Aged 73, he was the oldest person in history to accede to the British throne. He had been the longest-serving heir.

In February 2024, he announced his diagnosis with an undisclosed form of cancer.

In April 2024, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles would resume public-facing duties amid his treatment.

He was hospitalised in March 2025 after experiencing temporary side effects during his cancer treatment.

In a rare personal admission following this, he told fellow cancer patients in April: “Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones. But as one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity.”

Prince William ‘ready’ to become king one day

In light of the king’s ill health, royal commentator and author Kate Nicholl has told OK!: “The crown will never have felt closer to the prince than it does now. His father’s illness has been a stark reminder that it’s his turn next, and it may not be too far in the distant future.”

The crown will never have felt closer to the prince than it does now.

She said that the Prince of Wales’ various engagements abroad were evidence that he had mastered diplomacy.

“The aides I’ve spoken to and those who know him best say he is absolutely prepared,” she reportedly continued.

She added: “Of course, it’s not a moment he wants to think about. He loves his father and wants him to be around for a long time, but when the time comes, he will be ready.”
Prince William is reportedly “prepared” to become king, a royal commentator has said (Credit: Cover Images)
Another royal expert, Duncan Larcombe, also told the magazine: “William and Kate are at the forefront of the Firm, and have become the monarchy’s biggest asset. They have a pivotal role in ensuring continuity and calm, when at times there’s been anything but that behind the scenes.”

However, when it finally is his turn to take to the throne, William has hinted that he will make some changes.

During a visit to South Africa last November, he said that intended to “do it differently…for my generation”.

“I’m doing it with maybe a smaller ‘R’ in the royal, if you like, that’s maybe a better way of saying it,” he explained.