Princess Catherine spoke about her “unplanned” year, while Sally Bedell Smith says King Charles’s health has prompted the couple to consider their future reign.

As Kate Middleton continues her recovery, she’s confronting the looming responsibilities of her future role as Queen sooner than expected. Plans continue to be made behind the scenes for Prince William’s eventual succession,

Kate Middleton has eased back into public life after facing her own health struggles this year. The Princess of Wales announced in March that she’d been diagnosed with cancer, like King Charles. In September, she confirmed she’d completed chemotherapy and was now cancer-free.

Prince William and Princess Kate are stepping up. King Charles faced health issues. Kate battled and overcame cancer. William increased his royal duties. The royal couple is now focusing on their future as monarchs.

As King Charles, at 76 and battling cancer, faces an uncertain future, there is an increasing sense that Prince William and Kate Middleton's ascension to the throne may come "sooner than they would have expected.