King Charles is more unwell than he’s letting on, with Prince William forced to take on an increasing amount of extra royal duties as a result.

That’s according to a new report by RadarOnline.com, who cite an insider source as having painted a bleak picture concerning Charles’ prognosis. Now 76, King Charles continues to receive treatment for cancer, but has returned to the public eye after an initial period in which he focused on his health.

Charles was diagnosed in February of last year, around the same time as Kate Middleton. Yet while the Princess of Wales has since declared herself in remission, Charles’ cancer – the finer details of which, including what type of cancer he has, haven’t been revealed to the public – remains.

Neither is much known about Charles‘ general health, aside from the assumption that he is still living with the disease, since nothing has been said to the contrary.

New information insinuates that “dying” Charles is admirably trying to keep on top of his duties and present the illusion that he is soldiering on without issue, but that the reality is far removed from that.

A longtime royal aide is reported to have told Hollywood insider Rob Shuter that Charles’ condition is far worse than he is letting on, but that he refuses to roll over and consider lightening his load by taking a backseat. Shuter then wrote about it on Substack.

“He’s exhausted, but he won’t stop,” the source said, as reported by RadarOnline.com. “Every morning he insists on reading his red boxes. He believes his service to the country is his calling — and he’ll keep going as long as he can.”

Of course, Charles’ role is traditionally supported by the individual who will step into it when he’s is no longer here. Prince William, the heir to the British throne, is reportedly taking on an increasing amount of duties to help his father, particularly in the wake of the reemergence of the scandal involving the disgraced Prince Andrew and his ties to infamous sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Reports claim that William was a driving force in ensuring Andrew renounced his royal titles amidst the trouble, with it also said that he will go a step further when he eventually becomes king, by banning his uncle and Sarah Ferguson from all royal events, including his coronation.

Charles, meanwhile, was forced to cancel several engagements earlier this year in March when he was briefly hospitalized for “temporary” side effects relating to his ongoing treatment.

As stated above, the general public can only make guesses as to Charles’ overall condition, but RadarOnline.com insist that William is being prepared to become the new British monarch sooner than he might have been expecting.

“They’re quietly preparing William to step up — fast,” a senior courtier previously said, as per Radar. “The illusion of perfect health is collapsing. What we’re seeing is the reality behind the crown — a monarch in decline.”