Unverified claims circulating in British and U.S. tabloids allege that Princess Kate privately issued a "divorce ultimatum" that pushed Prince William to assert unprecedented control within Buckingham Palace while King Charles undergoes cancer treatment. The report, published by RadarOnline.com, has not been confirmed by Buckingham Palace, which traditionally does not comment on internal family matters. But its release has fueled intense public speculation about the balance of power inside the monarchy at a moment of heightened concern over the King's health.
According to RadarOnline.com, sources allege that the Princess of Wales told her husband she would leave the marriage if he did not "wrest control" from Queen Camilla and take a more dominant leadership role. These same insiders claim the ultimatum prompted William to "bulldoze his way in" and assume oversight of high-stakes royal functions once handled by King Charles or Queen Camilla.
The outlet further reports that individuals described as palace insiders allege William views the King as "weak," "incapable," and "unfit to rule," language attributed to sources but not independently verified. The claims suggest the King's cancer diagnosis has accelerated the transfer of responsibilities, with the monarch "ceding power" as William reportedly takes a more assertive position on sensitive family matters, including handling the public legacy of Prince Andrew.
These allegations also include pointed assertions that William considers the York branch of the family "poison," language again attributed solely to unnamed insiders in the RadarOnline report. Those claims coincide with continued public scrutiny of Prince Andrew following years of controversy, though no official royal briefing has corroborated this characterisation.
The report also describes friction with Queen Camilla. One source told RadarOnline.com that Camilla was "fuming" as responsibilities shifted toward William and Kate. The same insider alleged that she "clutched her pearls, collapsed from grief and exclaimed, 'Don't do this to me!'" after the King reportedly agreed to delegate greater authority to his son. None of these accounts have been confirmed by the Palace or any named royal official.
Another reported flashpoint involves King Charles's decision to bring Princess Beatrice back into public-facing royal duties. Sources cited by RadarOnline.com allege William was "strongly opposed," believing it "too soon" and "too risky" given the public fallout from Prince Andrew's scandals. The King reportedly "overruled" his son, insisting the family must "heal in public," according to the same tabloid account.
The reporting emphasises these accounts are based entirely on unnamed insiders and unverifiable palace leaks. No official source has substantiated claims that Kate Middleton issued a "divorce ultimatum" or that Prince William executed a "royal coup." Royal observers note that tabloids frequently publish sensationalised narratives during periods of reduced transparency, particularly when health-related concerns limit the King's public appearances.
