Kate Middleton and Prince William Reportedly Have a “Contingency Plan” Amid King Charles’s Ongoing Cancer Battle

The news about the King’s health is good, but the royals are always overprepared.

Kate Middleton and Prince William on September 17, 2025.Credit: 

Getty

After King Charles was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, it became clear that his son and heir Prince William might take the throne earlier than expected.
That said, on December 12, the King shared optimistic news about his health, saying in a video message that he would be reducing cancer treatment in 2026.
There is still a “contingency plan” in place, though, should the monarchy change hands sooner than the royal family would like it to.

It was great news to enter the holiday season with—on December 12, King Charles gave an extremely positive health update, nearly two years after he was diagnosed with cancer. In a video message, the King shared that he would be reducing cancer treatment in 2026, optimistic news about the health battle he continues to face.

Even before that good news broke, the King—as well as Prince William and Kate Middleton—looked well at the German state banquet, held at Windsor Castle on December 3. The Prince and Princess of Wales in particular dazzled, with Kate wearing a tiara that had previously only been worn by queens, not queens-in-waiting. “The message they are sending out is that the monarchy is healthy, regardless of what happens with [the King],” a source told Us Weekly.

Kate Middleton and Prince William at the German state banquet on December 3, 2025.Getty Images

After Charles was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, it became clear that William might have to take the throne earlier than expected. After all, his grandmother Queen Elizabeth lived to be 96 years old; Charles just turned 77 last month. The King has no intention of stepping down, an insider told Us Weekly. “Charles is committed to working tirelessly,” the source said. “Duty comes first.”

Yet, the outlet reported, there is a “contingency plan” in place that “They have been preparing for a while,” a source said.

“There is an awareness that not only are the Waleses and their family the obvious future of the monarchy, but that William’s time may come sooner than originally expected,” royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said.

King Charles and Prince William on May 13, 2024.Getty

William, for his part, “is becoming more serious, and we’re all starting to see what kind of a monarch he will be,” the source said. “The palace is consciously elevating and presenting him in an authoritative manner, anticipating what’s to come.” Kate—who also battled cancer in 2024, but revealed in January that she is in remission—is “still cautious about pacing herself with her schedule and the kids’ schedule,” a source said. “She knows she will have to take on more when she’s queen.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales are slowly “allowing [Prince] George to take on more responsibilities,” the source added, noting that they are making it clear that “the next generation is already in view.” George, in addition to his siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, will play a big part, and William and Kate “are basically creating their version of what a new monarchy will look like,” a source told Us Weekly, adding that “they are completely modernizing it. There will be changes in terms of how the Firm is run, and antiquated rules will change. There will be more freedom.”

Prince William and Kate Middleton on March 10, 2025.Getty

For now, though, “William and Kate have created their own bubble for themselves,” an insider said. “They are a young family trying to live as normal a life as possible. They are trying to enjoy the moments before they become king and queen and their lives change forever.”