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King Charles, Prince William
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With so much talk about what happens after King Charles is gone, sometimes people forget that he is still the King and very much in charge. The recent state visit to the US was a good reminder of the fact, but reportedly, despite his cancer diagnosis, the king is keen to make it clear he’s in charge.

“Charles has made it clear he’s still very much the top dog and that William needs to know his place,” an insider told In Touch. “His message for William is that he needs to bide his time and show patience and respect instead of chomping at the bit to unseat him.”

Related: Here’s what each royal inherited from Queen Elizabeth

But the report also indicates William isn’t exactly happy about it, reporting that the message “is not going over well with William,” who is “stomping his feet over what he sees as a bait-and-switch” situation.

Reportedly, Charles had been handing William more responsibilities amidst his cancer battle and had pretty much accepted William’s time was coming sooner, rather than later.

“[William] was promised that some power would be ceded to him,” the source said, “and instead, his father is clearly on this mission to stamp his authority on the monarchy,” not just globally but domestically as well.

“It really hits a nerve because he doesn’t approve of the way his father is handling things,” the insider explained. “That’s ultimately at the core of William’s anger.”

But Charles’ response to his “power hungry” son is reportedly to ask him to rise above his personal grievances, and the proof of that would be a reconciliation with Harry. A royal insider told RadarOnline: “Within palace circles, there is a clear sense that the King sees reuniting with Harry as a brutal, ultimate test’ for William as he prepares him to become king.”

The source added: “He has made it known that reuniting with Harry – however difficult for William – is part of the test to see whether he is truly ready to be a king, because he believes demonstrating unity is essential to the monarchy’s future.”

Reportedly, Charles has come to a point where he believes the situation between his two sons won’t ever be fixed if he doesn’t intervene. “He no longer believes time will heal this divide,” the source said. “From his perspective, this is about leadership, and he has effectively told William that he must rise above the personal and prove he can act in the interests of the crown, even if it goes against his instincts.”

Charles reportedly wants to meet with Harry and his kids this summer, at his Sandringham estate. And he would like William to get on board with the plan. “He believes this is where William must show he can compartmentalize his feelings and take a long-term view,” insiders said.

“In simple terms, the King is asking him to put duty before emotion and accept that reconciliation with Harry is part of that responsibility.”

Will we get a reconciliation? Only time will tell. But it seems like King Charles still has a lot to say about what happens in the family.

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