The Gist
Just 17 months into his reign, King Charles was diagnosed with cancer, leading many to believe that Prince William would take the throne far sooner than originally expected.
The King waited a long time to take the throne himself, becoming King when he was two months shy of turning 74 years old. (For context, his mother Queen Elizabeth became the monarch when she was 25.)
Charles is very much still in power, and while he no doubt believes William will lead well when it is his time, a new report indicates the King is “not thrilled” about the narrative that his eldest son is the true power behind the throne.
King Charles was the longest-serving Prince of Wales, carrying the title for 64 years and serving as heir to the throne for nearly 74 years. He has been on the throne for over three years now—since his mother Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022—and, despite health issues he’s faced since then, isn’t ready to give his role as King up.
Particularly surrounding the ex-Prince Andrew scandal and the fallout from it back in October, Charles’s son and heir to the throne Prince William was called “king in all but name” by some, insinuating that he was the one pulling the strings behind the scenes as Andrew’s royal titles and privileges were removed. According to a new Us Weekly cover story, the King is “not thrilled” about the narrative that William is the true power behind the throne.
Getty Images
King Charles and Prince William
“He doesn’t feel great about it, as he has finally attained the position he has waited for his whole life,” a source told the outlet. “Now that he’s King, everyone is focused on who will come next.”
In February 2024—just 17 months after taking the throne—the King was diagnosed with cancer. While he is still receiving treatment, he shared a hopeful update on December 12, explaining in a video message that his cancer treatment—thought to be weekly—would be reduced in 2026. He has no plans to abdicate the throne, an insider told Us Weekly, and “Charles is committed to working tirelessly,” the source said. “Duty comes first.”
Getty
King Charles in Rome, Italy on April 10, 2025
“Charles wants William to succeed, but William can be strong-minded and stubborn,” the source told Us Weekly, who also added that William has “apparently become more assertive” with Charles, according to the publication.
“William was very decisive about how matters should be handled and resolved swiftly,” the source said, adding that when Charles and William had their annual meeting at Balmoral over the summer, William “pressed the issue” of having Andrew fully removed from all aspects of royal life once and for all.
Getty
Prince William and Prince Andrew on April 7, 2017
“Charles obviously briefed William and Kate, but it was fully his decision,” the insider said. “They were fine with it—they weren’t planning on working with Andrew anyway. Kate and William have a lot of influence and a voice at the table, but the decision-making is the King.”
A source doubled down that “No power has been relinquished to William,” adding that William has his own office and staff separate from the King, and that the two men work closely together.
“Charles believes William will do an incredible job as King, and he’s very supportive,” a source said. “[When] they don’t agree, [William] respects his father’s decisions.”
Getty
Prince William on July 9, 2025
Though many think William’s time on the throne may come sooner than expected, that time is not right now—nor should it be rushed before it is time. “Some outlets say William is running things from the shadows, others say the King is still very much in charge,” royal commentator Kristen Meinzer said. “I suspect the latter is closer to the truth—after all, Charles waited a very long time to be the King.”
Read the original article on InStyle