Kate Middleton is reported to be confronting her future role as Queen sooner than she expected, after the royal family has had to prepare for the ‘inevitable’ transition of power

A Royal source has claimed that the King’s ordeal with cancer has had a profound impact on Kensington Palace, hastening preparations for Prince William’s ascent to the throne.

Despite King Charles being in good spirits at 76 following his treatment and recovery process, it seems Kate Middleton is grappling with the prospect of becoming Queen sooner than anticipated, dealing with her own cancer struggle in the past year as well.

Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People magazine: “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.”

One palace insider remarked: “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.”

A YSL beauty icon loved by Kate Middleton is on offer in the Debenhams sale ( 
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Getty Images)

Meanwhile, according to US magazine reports, behind the scenes plans are quietly advancing for the duo’s eventual succession, clarifying that both William and Kate are “increasingly aware” of the impending responsibilities. Notably, William deputised for Charles at Notre Dame Cathedral’s reopening ceremony in Paris on December 7, engaging in a lengthy conversation with then US President-elect Donald Trump.

In his usual straightforward manner, Mr Trump later shared: “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.”

Royal insiders maintain that succession plans are always ready. “It is something the institution is always mindful of,” a source revealed to People, describing the situation as one of “institutional awareness”.

Donald Trump and Prince William met on Saturday ( 
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Aaron Chown – Pool/Getty Images)Friends have stated that Kate and William will not alter their priorities, with their children George, Charlotte and Louis always being their main focus. “Life-threatening illnesses bring a reconsideration of priorities,” one friend noted.”She and William have always made it clear that family is the most important thing.”

However, it seems evident that there has been a shift in thinking about what the future may entail, according to the Scottish Daily Express. Royal author Robert Hardman commented: “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.”