Exclusive: Prince William and Princess Kate Will 'Undoubtedly Stand' in for Cancer-Stricken King Charles If He's Unable to Travel in the Future

Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, are obviously the future of the British monarchy as the heir and his consort, but the pair are also dedicated to helping a cancer-stricken King Charles III. This is despite the future queen also battling the same disease.

"William and hopefully Catherine will undoubtedly stand in for King Charles if he is unable to attend CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) in Samoa in October, and a tour of the Antipodes would normally follow. We Will see," veteran royal and entertainment expert Richard Fitzwilliams exclusively tells The Royal Observer.

His Majesty The King was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of the disease in early February, and it is believed that his treatments began almost immediately. The monarch has maintained his constitutional duties as head of state, most of which, such as state paperwork and meetings, can be done behind the scenes. Apart from a well-received appearance and walkabout near Windsor Castle on Easter Sunday, the sovereign has remained isolated per medical advice.

On March 22, Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales released an "emotional" video to her and the future king's social media accounts in which she revealed a cancer diagnosis. The princess is currently receiving preventative chemotherapy treatments, as her form of the disease "had been present" in the area at one time. The queen-in-waiting underwent abdominal surgery on January 16, and it is believed the malignancy was confirmed some weeks later.

With two of the British Crown's star players out of commission, this has led many to speculate on the stability of the monarchy, even though Queen Camilla and other senior royals have been publicly active.

"It will be appreciated that planning under these circumstances for royal engagements, let alone royal tours, is very difficult, if not impossible," Fitzwilliams adds. "The royal family is much slimmed down, with the Sussexes and the Duke of York not functioning as senior working royals. Only four working royals are under 70."

Under Queen Elizabeth II's 70.5-year reign, the monarchy operated within the model of "kindness but distance," according to one palace insider. "The late Queen grew up in a monarchy still rooted in deference, mystery, and Victorian sensibilities."

When she came to the throne at the age of 25, it is believed that she was dedicated to maintaining that style of royalty, although she accepted small changes toward modernity after Diana, Princess of Wales, died in 1997. Some have claimed that the King's push to modernity "has created a boring" style of monarchy.

Fitzwilliams concludes: "However, if the vast amount written and broadcast, not to mention social media, is anything to go by, boredom is the last thing likely to affect people’s views of the royal family."