Will King Charles Abdicate Throne Over Cancer Diagnosis? What We Know

King Charles III has reduced his work load to light duties as he undergoes treatment for cancer but "will never abdicate," a biographer told Newsweek.

Charles appeared in public for the first time on Tuesday since his diagnosis was announced by Buckingham Palace the day before.

And as he smiled from the window of a car transporting him from Clarence House to the palace, there was no sign of panic about his future.

Aides have stressed that Charles will continue with his state duties, meaning there will in the short term be no need for Prince William—or other royals—to act up as king in their roles as Counsellors of State.

William will, though, return to front line duties on Wednesday after a period out caring for Kate Middleton, following her abdominal surgery in January.

With a diagnosis of cancer comes an uncertain future and there is very recent precedent in Europe for a monarch stepping down due to health struggles.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark cited the back surgery she received in February 2023 when she announced her decision to abdicate on New Year's Eve: "The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future—whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation."

However, Robert Jobson, author of Our King, told Newsweek: "I am sure, unless he is totally incapacitated, the king will never abdicate."

Charles also has the precedent of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who vowed on her 21st birthday to give her "whole life" to public service.

Her final act of duty was to invite former Prime Minister Liz Truss to form a government two days before she died aged 96 in September 2022.

If Charles were to follow in Elizabeth's footsteps, rather than Margrethe's, then an abdication feels a long way off.

For now, the king is not undertaking public engagements but will continue with the paperwork that his role as head of state requires him to perform.

One test of his health will be whether he is in a position to attend Trooping the Color, the monarch's birthday parade in June.

Missing the event would not likely create a constitutional crisis but it would be a conspicuous absence if he was not there.

State Opening of Parliament would require a stand in if he was not well enough to attend, a role he performed for the queen months before her death.

The king chalked up his first as monarch in November but could be called on again after the next British General Election, though the timetable for that is a matter of hotly contested debate currently.

Noises coming out of the government suggest it will not be until the fall but speculation has been feverish of a snap spring election, and the opposition Labour Party has indicated it is preparing for this eventuality.

Parliament would be dissolved in advance of an election and would therefore need to be opened in the aftermath—requiring Charles to either attend in person or let Prince William take his place.

There is every reason, however, to be positive about Charles prognosis after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak suggested the cancer was "caught early."

Eric Schiffer, chair of Reputation Management Consultants, told Newsweek: "I think the chance of a clamor for abdication is highly unlikely given the king's current medical condition.

"To the extent that it's very serious, even in that situation I think it would be unlikely and the public would support him up until he's no longer able to function. I don't see that occurring.

"This is likely to be manageable with family support and with William's support in public, and we all wish the king a speedy recovery."

Buckingham Palace said in a Monday statement: "During The King's recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.

"His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.

"Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual."

Jack Royston is Newsweek's chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.

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