No one expected the royal family to be in such a precarious position less than one year after King Charles III’s coronation. Yet Charles and Kate Middleton’s cancer battles require every working royal to reconfigure what life at the palace looks like, and it’s reportedly created a very surprising alliance.

The days of the “wicked stepmother” might be over for Prince William, who allegedly has grown closer to Queen Camilla over their spouses’ health crises. “William, I believe, has seen the value of Queen Camilla, especially at a time like this when she has been stalwart in supporting King Charles not only at home but also dramatically increasing the public engagements she has attended,” royal expert Ian Pelham told Fox New Digital.