![King Charles. Credit: Getty Images](https://cdn-main.newsner.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/02/14121415/kingcharles-1-664x350.jpg)
Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed in the following article belong solely to the author and do not reflect or represent Newsner.
King Charles waited the whole of his long life to become king, and it finally came to pass when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away in 2022. His cancer diagnosis last year – and the subsequent, ongoing treatment – has meant that his thus far brief reign looks different to what he might have planned.
Yet even though he took time off to undergo treatment last year, with reports claiming said treatment will continue in 2025, he is still making the effort to go on state visits, as was evidenced by he and Camilla’s trip to Australia and Samoa last fall.
New reports have detailed how the monarch will soon venture overseas again. In April, it’s said he will visit Italy. But honestly, if you ask me, Charles shouldn’t be leaving UK shores at all: now is the time to prepare for the future. Step back from going abroad, Your Majesty, and take the only decision that truly makes sense.
No one can dispute that King Charles must be enjoying his life as king. After all, the monarch prepared for more than 70 years for the role, and when he finally took over after his late mother – putting aside the obvious grief of Queen Elizabeth’s death – one can only imagine that Charles felt it was time.
Since then, Charles has, despite his age, established himself as a firm believer in modernizing the monarchy. While out on royal duty, he is more than happy to stop and speak to well-wishers and crack a joke or two. One clip on Instagram that went viral a while ago saw him conversing with some American tourists, jokingly excusing himself for having made their stroll through London tricky as a result of the street having been sealed off for His Majesty.
Despite his ongoing treatment for cancer, Charles appears to be upbeat. The fact that his official title changed from prince to king probably might not make that big of a difference to his day-to-day life, even if his responsibilities increased tenfold.
As the reigning monarch, Charles now gets to see his eldest son, Prince William, doing a magnificent job in his role as heir to the throne. He also has the privilege of spending a lot of time with his grandchildren, which is magical for any grandparent, royal or not.
‘King Charles should not travel abroad’
Of course, despite the obvious advantages of the life Charles leads, last year’s cancer diagnosis changed a lot. The monarch had to take time off while undergoing treatment initially, but that didn’t stop him from traveling to Australia and Samoa last year.
Reports suggest Charles paused his treatment for the state visit (a move approved by his doctors). But if we’re being real, is this really what a 76-year-old should be doing in that situation? I say no: it’s time Charles started moving Prince William to a higher seat on the adult table, as he is next in the line of succession.
Prince William has, just like his father, been preparing to one day take over as king his entire life. He replaced his father for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris last year and stepped in for Charles on several further occasions. When William will ascend the throne is anyone’s guess, but it could be a wait of as long as twenty years should Charles live as long as his mother, Queen Elizabeth, did.
That said, Charles’ treatment and recovery must take priority in this case. It’s one thing to travel far and wide within the borders of the UK, where even the longest trips can be undertaken with the relative comfort of a train journey. But sitting on a flight for 16 hours, meeting person after person, and attending ceremony after ceremony isn’t a good fit for a 76-year-old man fighting cancer.
No, state visits with so many engagements could have a negative, almost crushing, effect on Charles’ physical and mental health.
Prince William is often seen as a symbol of a stable future monarchy. According to the YouGov poll in the last quarter of 2024, he is the third most popular Royal Family member after his wife, Kate Middleton, and, quite morbidly, the late Queen Elizabeth II. He is preparing to take over and create his own methods of leadership, and what better way to plan than to begin to represent his father on taxing state visits overseas?
‘Hand over responsibility to Prince William’
Now is the time for Charles to give his son more responsibility and show the public that the Royal Family is doing well and making wise decisions. Without the support of the British public — and indeed fans worldwide — there is no monarchy at all.
If King Charles decides to travel to Italy himself, it could potentially do him harm. A king neglecting his health and responsibilities towards the Crown is not a good sight. You don’t have to abdicate, Charles. Just let your son help you – and the monarchy as a whole – to prepare for the future.
Sadly, such small decisions that have a negative impact could lead to disaster.
Do you agree with the author or not? Please share this article on Facebook and let us know your opinion!
READ MORE
- King Charles’ cancer giving Palace a headache, claims expert
- King Charles ‘in tears’ after emotional talk with Princess Anne