“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb’” (Revelation 14:9-10).

So it seems to be a two-fer. Receive the Mark, and worship the beast. I don’t think the beast is even generally known yet. Therefore how can one worship him? Juan implies that Prince William is the antiChrist. I have a doubt. I think it is someone else, currently unknown to most. I will not say who, since that has been advised against by those who do know. When the beast reveals himself to the world, implies that he is the Second Coming, and demands to be worshipped, then you will know.

Also, I think it has to be made clear that the Mark is the Mark when it is being given. Otherwise how could it have effect? "Oh, that thing you were told was to protect against disease, that was actually the Mark. Surprise!"

I think the Mark will be something like an implanted microchip, identified as the Mark, when the beast is already publicly extant, and identifiable as such to those who pay attention to scripture.