It's difficult to fully grasp the events that have unfolded in the royal family since February 2024, the day King Charles announced to the world that he had cancer. Most of us cannot predict the timing of our own deaths, let alone that of someone else. Yet, an extraordinary assumption has been whispered in the corridors of British power: King Charles' situation is dire.
There’s a growing belief within royal circles that preparations for the reign of King William V have already begun as the King’s health continues to deteriorate. This has led Buckingham Palace officials to regularly update plans for his impending funeral. When Charles ascended the throne, many expected him to follow in the footsteps of his long-lived parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who lived to 96 and 99, respectively. However, the King’s undisclosed diagnosis has led many to question how long he can remain on the throne, despite his remarkable resilience.
As Charles prepares for a major trip to Australia, few could have foreseen this possibility when his illness was first revealed. Today, new documents have surfaced revealing the secret plans being prepared for King Charles' death. These revelations are already causing strife within the royal family.
The British medical community is sparing no effort in treating the King, employing cutting-edge treatments alongside Charles' preferred natural remedies. However, even if he achieves full remission, his decision to break centuries of royal tradition by publicly announcing his illness has set the stage for what courtiers are calling "a change of reign." Plans for King William V’s reign are already in motion, and executive power is gradually shifting in William’s direction. Regardless of what comes next, once the wheels have been set in motion, it will be difficult to reverse the course.
This is precisely why Prince Harry flew over from California just three days after the announcement, and why the King agreed to meet with him. William, too, sprang into action just days after the news broke, appointing Ian Patrick, a former diplomat with eight years of experience in the Foreign Office, as his new private secretary. The message was clear: William is preparing to take on a more prominent, global role.
However, William’s plans were brutally sidelined by his wife Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis, which forced him to retreat from public life and international travel for several months. What’s fascinating to observe is that in a year where the King has either been out of the public eye or significantly scaling back his appearances, William’s work has only shone brighter.
Now that Kate is in recovery, the Prince of Wales is resuming his royal duties. Recently, he’s gained a higher profile than his father, who has been conserving his strength. William is set to embark on international travel again in November for the Earthshot Awards in South Africa, a high-profile event.
For Prince Harry, his father’s illness presents additional challenges. His hopes of reconciling with the royal family are diminishing as William’s influence grows. Sources close to Harry suggest he still hopes to repair his fractured relationship with the monarchy under his father’s reign. However, with William expected to ascend the throne sooner than anticipated, Harry’s chances of returning to the fold in any meaningful way seem slim.
Despite all this, royal sources emphasize that the King is doing remarkably well in his battle against cancer. Just last week, King Charles hosted a reception for the Commonwealth diaspora and appeared in high spirits, even trying his hand at some Samoan dancing. Clearly, His Majesty is well enough to board his RAF flight next week to Sydney and Canberra on a charm mission and to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting on October 18th.
The King and Queen Camilla’s upcoming trip to Australia— their first since Charles ascended the throne—will be closely watched. Yet, an unspoken question will linger during every wave, handshake, and photo-op: could this be King Charles’ final royal tour?
