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King Charles III will postpone his public duties following a cancer diagnosis, prompting questions about the role the person who is next in line for the throne will play as the monarch recuperates.
Prince William, as eldest son, will be king after his father, and the spotlight will inevitably turn to him as Charles takes time out to rest.
William has recently been off work himself, helping Kate Middleton recover from abdominal surgery, but is expected to return to royal engagements on Wednesday.
There is, however, currently no need for him to act as monarch as Charles is still performing some state duties.
A Buckingham Palace statement read: "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."
In addition to charity visits, Charles has a number of constitutional roles, for example, he is needed to rubber stamp Acts of Parliament before they become law.
The fact he is continuing "state business and official paperwork" suggests he will continue with these core functions for now.
Charles' cancer diagnosis came after a corrective procedure on his prostate, when he spent three nights in the hospital. The monarch, 75, was admitted to the London Clinic last week, and it was previously reported he intended to take around a month off.
A statement from Buckingham Palace said that the king has started receiving regular treatments for the diagnosis.
Newsweek reached out to Buckingham Palace by email for comment.
Charles ascended the throne immediately after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died in September 2022 following a 70-year reign that began in 1952 after her father's, George VI, death. Charles' coronation was held in May 2023.
Charles was the longest serving Prince of Wales, the title bestowed on the eldest son of the reigning monarch by the monarch themselves. William replaced his father as Prince of Wales after his Charles became king.
Prince William's three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, are second, third and fourth in line for the throne, respectively. Although he has stepped away from his royal duties, William's younger brother Prince Harry is still fifth in line, followed by his two children. Prince Andrew, Charles' brother, is eighth in line.
Despite his diagnosis, the king remains in good spirits, according to the Buckingham Palace statement.
"The king is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure," the statement said. "He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
"His majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer."
Kate is expected to be away from her duties until after Easter.
Update 2/5/2024, 2:26 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
About the writer
Anna Skinner is a Newsweek senior reporter based in Indianapolis. Her focus is reporting on the climate, environment and weather ... Read more