Prince William expected to return to duties following King Charles' cancer diagnosis

Prince William is expected to return to royal duties earlier than planned following his father King Charles' shock cancer diagnosis.

The Prince of Wales had reduced his workload following the Princess of Wales' planned abdominal surgery, which is expected to see her refrain from royal duties until Easter, although she is reportedly working from home.

William will reportedly resume royal duties on Wednesday.

Royal reporter Camilla Tominey told Today the news of Charles' cancer comes at a difficult time for the heir.

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"It's a tricky moment for the king's eldest son here, because he's going to have to step up, along with Queen Camilla, and help bridge the gap," Tominey said.

King Charles, 75, underwent a surgical procedure to treat an enlarged prostate in January when his cancer was discovered.

He had been expected to return to royal duties within weeks but has been advised by his doctors to refrain from public royal duties during his treatment, although he will continue to work from home.

Queen Camilla continued her public engagements during her husband's treatment, including the opening of Maggie's Royal Free, a new cancer support centre at Royal Free Hospital in London earlier this month.

She also this month attended a reception at Windsor Castle to celebrate the newly announced Modern-Day Miniature Library

Tominey said while Camilla, 76, can take on some of her husband's duties, Prince William, as sovereign, will need to step up in his father's absence.

"Queen Camilla, of course, can carry out engagements on their behalf, but from a constitutional perspective, because of the line of succession ... Camilla isn't in that, she's not a blood borne royal," she explained.

"So when it comes to constitutional matters, they will have to be fulfilled indeed by William.

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"Then the king's siblings come into play. You've got Princess Anne, who, of course, will be able to carry out Investitures and other matters, and you've got Prince Edward, now known as the Duke of Edinburgh.

"So there are people in place that have got diaries that will then be added to."

Princess Anne has kept up her regular busy schedule.

The Princess Royal joined celebrations at the Jodrell Bank Observatory's new UNESCO status on earlier this month.

On January 30, Princess Anne attended a Riding for the Disabled event during her visit to the opening of the Reaseheath Equestrian College in Nantwich.

She also led investitures on January 25 during with film director and producer Sir Stephen Frears was honoured.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are also available to help fill the void left by King Charles' absence.

Prince Edward visited St Helena at the end of January and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh joined students taking part in a menstrual health workshop at Harris Girls' Academy in South-East London on January 25.

Prince Harry is reportedly flying to the UK from his home in the us to visit with his father. King Charles is understood to have informed both his sons of his diagnosis by phone.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex resigned as working members of the British royal family in 2020.

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Buckingham Palace announced King Charles would begin a "schedule of regular treatments" to treat his cancer and "has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties."

"Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual," the statement continue.