Despite illness: will Princess Kate have royal duties "sooner than expected"?

England - Despite the challenges posed by her cancer, Princess Kate (42) has no time to rest. "Sooner than expected", the 42-year-old will have to come to terms with her role as future Queen and possibly take on even more royal duties.

Princess Kate (42) had put her royal duties on hold for months after falling ill.
Princess Kate (42) had put her royal duties on hold for months after falling ill.  © Isabel Infantes/PA Wire/dpa
Just last week, the 42-year-old took part in a church service and made a rare comment about her cancer.

It was her first major public appearance since she made her diagnosis public in March of this year.

But Princess Kate is not the only one battling the serious illness - King Charles (76) is also affected by cancer.

As People reported, his wife Camilla (77) has also been struggling with health problems as she was diagnosed with pneumonia.

In view of the royal couple's serious health restrictions, they have both had to significantly reducetheir royal commitments, putting Kate and William under pressure.

Princess Kate and Prince William to prepare for their role as royal couple

Prince William (42) is next in line to the throne.
Prince William (42) is next in line to the throne.  © Dimitris Legakis/PA Wire/dpa

Behind the scenes, however, plans are already being prepared for the succession of Camilla and Charles. In the order of precedence, it would then be Kate and William's turn.

"There is a sense of calm before the storm. They are next in line for the biggest task of their lives and, of course, Kate's health takes priority," said a royal insider.

She added: "As a result, William has taken on more responsibility and he and Kate have been preparing for their future roles earlier than expected."

A clear sign of this is that the future King William stood in for his fatherat the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris last weekend.