The image of King Charles III at the Trooping the Colour parade last June 14 drew worldwide attention: he was seen seated in a carriage due to his cancer treatment, which began in February 2024 after surgery for an enlarged prostate.
His health is being managed as a chronic and incurable, though controlled, illness, which has led Buckingham to prepare a succession with full awareness. The monarch, who will likely live "with" cancer rather than "for" it, now faces the challenge of ensuring the continuity of the Royal House.
Time is not on his side
Aware that his time at the head of the Crown may be limited, Charles III has reportedly given his son William a clear request: keep the Windsors united. This charge seeks to honor the will of Elizabeth II, whose legacy included a cohesive and popular royal family.
According to people close to the family, the king has asked the Prince of Wales to lead an institutional renewal without sacrificing family unity, a delicate balance after years of internal tensions that reached their peak with Harry and Meghan's split and their accusations and revelations.
Meanwhile, William is reportedly determined to resume contact with his brother. Sources indicate that the future monarch plans both formal and private invitations and, during his reign, hopes to have Harry not only as a symbolic figure but as a pillar of closeness and charisma within the Crown. Harry's willingness for reconciliation became clear last May, when he publicly declared his desire to reconnect after five years of estrangement.
Official statements and reactions
From Buckingham Palace, they keep a discretion typical of royalty: they refuse to comment on specific plans or family strategies, though they do not hide the intention to continue with a solid monarchical agenda, adapted to the new normal. A spokesperson indicated that the king will continue performing his duties from Clarence House and will not move his residence to Buckingham, given the state of the renovations and his personal preference.
Meanwhile, Prince William has been photographed preparing to take on new public duties, consolidate institutional projects, and keep public support. On social media, users highlight how William manages conversations about "family unity" and "modernization," though some warn of the burden that reconciling with a Harry prone to telling uncomfortable truths will entail.
Is a royal reconciliation possible?
Although the wishes for unity are sincere, real obstacles exist:
- The public wounds are still healing after crossed statements.
- William will need tact to balance a figure like Harry—popular but controversial—without alienating conservative sectors.
- The royal calendar and strict palace regulations make impromptu or informal family meetings difficult.
Nonetheless, sources close to the family suggest that discreet meeting scenarios are being explored, such as a possible meeting at the 2027 Birmingham Invictus Games, where Harry could appear with Archie and Lili, perhaps marking a first step toward reunion.
A charge to his son
While waiting for fate to determine the moment of transition, King Charles III leaves his son a clear charge: modernize the Crown without breaking unity. William assumes the responsibility with a roadmap that includes institutionalism, closeness, and above all, reconciliation with Harry. The big question is: will he be able to bring his brother back before ascending the throne? Hopefully, we'll discover the answer before 2027, when the Invictus spotlight could illuminate a new era for the Windsors.