Prince Harry is flying home to California just 26 hours after he arrived to visit his father following his cancer diagnosis – as the King issued his first statement since the announcement this week.
Prince William has also spoken about his father’s cancer diagnosis for the first time in a speech thanking the public for their “kind messages of support”.
The Duke of Sussex was spotted at London’s Heathrow Airport on Wednesday afternoon ahead of boarding a flight back to the US after reportedly spent the night at a London hotel.
Having arrived to see the King at Clarence House on Tuesday afternoon, the pair were understood to have a brief meeting that lasted roughly 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, Prince William returned to royal duties on Wednesday for the first time since his wife underwent abdominal surgery.
He carried out an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle before later in the evening arriving at a gala fundraising dinner for London’s Air Ambulance Charity,
The prince told guests: “I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support.”
And on Wednesday night, King Charles issued a statement to mark the 50th anniversary of the independence of Grenada.
Prince William speaks publicly for the first time since father’s cancer diagnosis
The Prince of Wales said the royal family appreciate the “kind messages” they have received following the King’s cancer diagnosis.
Arriving at a gala dinner for London’s Air Ambulance on Wednesday evening, William waved to people gathered outside the venue in central London.
He said: “We really appreciate everyone’s kind messages, thank you.”
Matt Mathers7 February 2024 20:06
ICYMI: What is a regency and how would King Charles transfer power to William?
If Charles was incapacitated, the Prince of Wales could be appointed Prince Regent through the Regency Act 1937, taking over the King’s duties.
Matt Mathers8 February 2024 01:00
Watch: Lioness Ellen White sends well wishes to King Charles after receiving MBE
Lioness Ellen White sends well wishes to King Charles after receiving MBE
Lioness Ellen White sent well-wishes to King Charles III and his family following his cancer diagnosis after receiving her MBE on Wednesday, 7 February. The former England footballer received her honour from the Prince of Wales for services to football. Prince William performed the investiture ceremony, his first engagement since the King’s announcement, and his wife, the Princess of Wales, underwent surgery. The 41-year-old briefly paused his royal role to juggle caring for his wife and their children following Kate’s operation three weeks ago.
Matt Mathers8 February 2024 00:01
King Charles issues first statement since diagnosis
In a statement to mark the 50th anniversary of independence of the former British colony Grenada, said: “I can only say how sorry I am that I cannot be with you in person to mark this momentous milestone, and to enjoy a little Oil Down with you all!”
The history of illnesses in the royal family
Here is a look back at the history of health issues in the royal family:
Matt Mathers7 February 2024 23:00
Inside Prince Harry’s flying visit to see Charles that lasted less than an hour
Prince Harry rushed from his home in California to the UK on Tuesday after his father revealed his cancer diagnosis to his youngest son over the phone.
Matt Mathers7 February 2024 22:00
In pictures: Prince William at London Air Ambulance charity gala dinner
(Daniel Leal/PA Wire)
Williams has a chat with paramedics and doctors volunteering for the charity
(Daniel Leal/PA Wire)
Future King arrives for dinner
(Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
Matt Mathers7 February 2024 21:30
Watch: Reason why King Charles and Harry’s meeting was so short revealed
Reason why King Charles and Harry’s meeting was so short revealed
The reason why King Charles and Prince Harry’s first face-to-face meeting in nearly a year was so short has been revealed. The Duke of Sussex flew to the UK from California on Tuesday (6 February) to see his father following his cancer diagnosis. According to several sources, the meeting lasted between 30 and 45 minutes. Sunday Times Royal Editor Roya Nikkhah has now revealed the reason for this. Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday (7 February), Ms Nikkhah said: “The King was very tired after the procedure he had had the day before. “I’m sure Harry would have loved to have spent more time with him, but he’s probably quite respectful of his dad going through his treatment.”
Matt Mathers7 February 2024 21:00
King’s openness ‘absolutely fantastic’
An NHS nurse who met King Charles at a Marie Curie hospice event said the openness the monarch has shown around his cancer diagnosis is “absolutely fantastic” as she wished him a “full recovery”.
Michelle Beaver, 51, a cardiology nurse at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, met the King twice in 2019: first in Liverpool at the 60th anniversary of the Marie Curie Hospice, of which Charles is a patron; and again at a garden party held at Buckingham Palace which Ms Beaver was invited to attend.
She said Charles was “really down to earth”, “lovely” and “made everyone feel special”, adding that the awareness he has raised around getting checked for signs of cancer has been “absolutely fantastic”.
Alex Ross7 February 2024 20:45
‘It must be a difficult time for the family’
Former England striker Ellen White, who was part of England’s Euro 2022 winning team, spoke to Prince William during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.
It was a return to work for the royal who had taken time off to support his family after the Princess of Wales underwent planned abdominal surgery on January 16.
White, who was made an MBE for services to football, passed on to William her “best wishes” for the King, and sympathised with the monarchy, saying it must be a “difficult” time for the royal family.
She said afterwards: “I sent my best wishes to the King.
“I just think, you know, it must be a difficult time for the family.”
Former England striker Ellen White, who was part of England’s Euro 2022 winning team, spoke to Prince William
(PA Media)
Alex Ross7 February 2024 20:30