Prince William has already taken control as he makes major Kate Middleton decision without King Charles

Is King Charles’s grip on the crown being quietly threatened by his own son, Prince William? It’s a familiar theme in classic tales like Game of Thrones and Shakespeare, where royal families are drawn into power struggles, often turning kin into rivals. Nowadays, though, instead of clashing on battlefields, royals are more likely to show up on late-night talk shows to promote memoirs — but the underlying hunger for influence seems very much alive.

2024 has indeed been challenging for King Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. Since then, Prince William, the eldest and heir to the throne, has taken on more royal responsibilities, stepping in where his father’s health prevents him from fulfilling all his duties. In doing so, some believe William is quietly consolidating “executive power,” taking on responsibilities that traditionally fall to the reigning monarch.

An unexpected recent move from Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, has spotlighted this shift. In September, she released a video sharing that her own cancer treatment had concluded. Unlike the initial video that announced her diagnosis, this one was highly produced and sentimental, showing intimate moments with William and their three children. Critics noted it felt more like a personal documentary than a typical royal update, comparing it to the content Prince Harry and Meghan Markle produce for Netflix.

Why was this video so unconventional? According to royal expert Tom Sykes, it had nothing to do with King Charles. Sykes shared that “the whole enterprise wasn’t signed off by the king,” signaling that William and Kate are handling some decisions independently, showing how “power and influence are already flowing William’s way.” This, Sykes suggests, reflects the subtle shift in royal dynamics since Charles’s diagnosis, with William and Kate’s grasp of public appeal growing.

Meanwhile, King Charles is pausing his own treatment to undertake his first major international tour as king, set to visit Australia and Samoa with Queen Camilla. It’s notable that his schedule was intentionally scaled back in the weeks leading up to this trip — a departure from tradition, as the monarch usually has a packed agenda post-summer break. “The run-up to the royal tour has been kept deliberately light for His Majesty,” a royal source told the Mail, adding, “Australia is a big deal, and he wants to be fighting fit.”

Rumors are circulating that Charles’s health may be worse than the palace is letting on, sparking talk that Prince William may be preparing to step up sooner than expected. Although this remains speculative, many are watching closely as the balance of power seems to be shifting within the royal family, perhaps indicating a quiet, gradual transition already underway.