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King Charles held a private meeting with his daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, after the palace kickstarted plans for Prince William’s ascension to the throne, according to a new report.
The monarch, 76, was faced with a fresh perspective after enduring a difficult year following his cancer diagnosis in February.
News of the king’s health woes were closely followed by Middleton’s own cancer diagnosis, which she revealed to the world in March.
As a result, the duo are said to have grown closer during their respective health battles.
“She and Charles had a private meeting about her stepping up sooner than expected,” a source told Radar Online.
“As you’d imagine, the relationship between the two of them is incredibly close. They’ve been a huge source of comfort to each other through their side-by-side battles against cancer.”
“It’s also why Charles has taken great pains to give her plenty of space to recover for the inevitable moment that he and Camilla pass on the baton,” the insider added.
The insider added that palace officials are prioritizing to “ensure Kate and William have as smooth a transition to power as possible.”
The Post has reached out to Buckingham and Kensington Palaces for comment.
Indeed, the report follows hot on the heels of rumors that the Prince and Princess of Wales have begun gearing up for William’s ascension to the throne.
“Although the king is carrying out his duties with typical determination, he has had to accept limitations during his cancer treatment,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith previously told People.
“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.”
Charles, for his part, was also forced to slam the brakes on his jam-packed schedule after his cancer diagnosis.
This in turn has allowed his elder son to represent the Firm at various events, including his recent appearance at the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which William attended sans Charles.
“There’s a sense of calm before the storm,” Bedell Smith said. “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.”
Last month, palace insiders claimed that royal staffers began drawing up succession plans after the king’s coronation in May 2023.