Secret signs Kate Middleton is preparing for life as queen after ‘absolutely devastating’ year: sources

Given that he was just 15 years old when his mother, Princess Diana, died in August 1997, that is truly saying something.
“I’m told she’s getting better and that’s indicated by slightly more frequent appearances … but it’s clearly been absolutely devastating and very difficult for her, and she’s not out of the woods yet,” Hugo Vickers, noted royal historian and friend of the family, told Page Six.
The ramifications of these past 12 months are far reaching for Kate and William — who live with the knowledge that, as Prince and Princess of Wales, they are potentially just a heartbeat from becoming King and Queen, particularly as King Charles continues his own treatment for cancer.

Should she be called upon sooner rather than later, “Catherine is as ready as she will ever be to be queen,” said Vickers.
Sources told us King Charles was “exhausted” following the end of his nine-day trip to Australia and Samoa in October with Queen Camilla, during which he paused his treatment.
“He looks quite knackered up close and red around the eyes and thinner,” said one royal insider who has seen Charles recently, “Especially for someone who normally looks so vigorous, but I suppose it’s only to be expected after 10 months of cancer treatment.