King Charles has reportedly begun work on his succession plan, sparking fears his cancer diagnosis may be ‘more dangerous than we have been led to believe.’
Earlier this month Charles revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer after being admitted to hospital for a separate issue regarding an enlarged prostate.
The type of cancer has not been revealed to the public, but it was reportedly caught early and the King has been undergoing ‘regular treatments’ ever since.
Nevertheless, the issue has reportedly prompted the King to start formalising his succession plans earlier than intended and ensure that Prince William is at the heart of them, sparking rumours that his illness could be more serious than we have been led to believe.
Tom Quinn, a Royal expert and author, told the Mirror: ‘Charles is also aware that, as future king, William is at the heart of the succession planning that is taking place right now – officials had assumed Charles would remain healthy at least into his mid-eighties before succession planning would need to begin but in fact it has now begun and indicates perhaps that Charles’ cancer is more dangerous than we have been led to believe.
‘Succession planning is highly secret and no one trusts Harry to be part of it for the simple reason that if he feels in any way slighted or not given what he feels he deserves he will run straight to the media.’
Prince Harry’s autobiography, Spare, caused major friction in the royal household following its release in January 2023 after the Duke of Sussex made a series of bombshell claims about his family members and took swipes at his father and brother.
Mr Quinn’s remarks come after Harry recently claimed he was willing to step back into the royal fold on a ‘temporary’ basis to assist his father during his treatment.
The Duke of Sussex also confirmed he has some UK trips planned soon after making a quick visit to his father earlier this month.
Reconciliation for Prince Harry is possible, but will likely only happen if his father personally asks him to.
A royal source told Page Six Harry would ‘try’ to help his father if called upon to do so, and said: ‘I have a hard time believing if his dad asks for his help that Harry would say no, I think he would try.’
But the insider added: ‘I don’t think it’s something that Harry would ask [to do] on his own.’
Under the current succession plans, Harry is the fifth in line to the throne. Prince William is next in line, followed by his children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
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