A royal insider has disclosed that serious conversations have been taking place at Kensington Palace regarding Prince William’s “inevitable” rise to the throne due to King Charles’ battle with cancer. Despite the monarch staying strong at 76 after his treatment and recovery, it seems Kate Middleton may need to embrace her future role as Queen sooner than thought.

The Princess of Wales has also faced her own fight with cancer in the last year. In an interview with People magazine, royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith said: “Although the King is carrying out his duties with typical determination, he has had to accept limitations during his cancer treatment. As a result William has been taking on more responsibilities, and he and Kate have been preparing for their future roles sooner than they would have expected.

An insider added: “There’s a sense of calm before the storm. They are next in line for the biggest job of their lives, and of course, Kate’s health has taken priority, but it’s also allowed everyone to take a step back and figure out what’s important right now.”

According to the US publication, preparations continue behind the scenes for their eventual rise, while William and Kate are becoming “increasingly aware” of their impending royal duties.

William stepped in for his father at the grand reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on December 7, where he had a significant chat with the soon-to-be US President Donald Trump, as reported by the Scottish Daily Express. In his typical candid style, Mr. Trump disclosed later: “I asked him about his wife, and he said she’s doing well. And I asked him about his father, and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father, and he loves his wife, so it was sad.”

People close to the royal family affirm that succession plans are always set.

“It is something the institution is always mindful of,” an insider told People, describing the situation as one of “institutional awareness”.

Pals have noted that Kate and William won’t change their focus, insisting their children George, Charlotte, and Louis remain their number one concern. “Life-threatening illnesses bring a reconsideration of priorities. She and William have always made it clear that family is the most important thing.”

However, it’s apparent that perceptions of the future have shifted somewhat. Royal author Robert Hardman remarked: “We are being encouraged not to look at this as a chapter that’s over and then it’s back to normal, because cancer doesn’t work like that. The details remain private, but there’s no sense of trying to gloss over the reality that it’s an unpredictable disease.”