Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales, reacts as he talks with U.S. actor Tom Cruise, at the London Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner at The OWO, in central London, Britain, February 7, 2024.

Royal author Robert Hardman said William had already taken on substantial state duties towards the end of Queen Elizabeth’s reign when she was hampered by mobility issues.

‘QUASI HEAD OF STATE’

“In that regard, it’s not that different but obviously there’s the burden of expectation,” Hardman told Reuters. “On many occasions he will have to stand in, he’ll be sort of quasi head of state in much the same way that Prince Charles was when the queen was infirm.”

On Tuesday, the king travelled with Camilla to Sandringham House, his home in eastern England, after a brief meeting of about 30 minutes with son Harry who had just flown in to see his father after the king told him he had cancer.

Harry, 39, has barely been on speaking terms with many of the Windsors following his criticism of the monarchy since stepping down from royal duties almost four years ago.

A royal source said there had been no plans for him to see his elder brother William during his visit to Britain. After only about 24 hours in Britain, Harry was seen at Heathrow Airport from where he was expected to fly home to California where he now lives with wife Meghan and their two children.

Despite the diagnosis, Charles is planning to continue with much of his private work as monarch and dealing with state papers. He was due to speak with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak by phone on Wednesday, Sunak’s spokesman said.

Buckingham Palace has not given any details of the condition other than to say it was not prostate cancer, but said the king was remaining “wholly positive” and looking forward to returning to public duty as soon as possible.