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,

“Although the King is carrying out his duties with typical determination, he has had to accept limitations during his cancer treatment," royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People. "As a result William has been taking on more responsibilities, and he and Kate have been preparing for their future roles sooner than they would have expected.”

Kate Middelton has spent the year battling cancer and now faces the possibility that she could become Queen sooner than she expected.