Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
William steps up as Harry flies off after seeing King
THE Prince of Wales was back at work supporting the King as the Duke of Sussex travelled home to America yesterday following a whirlwind trip to see their cancer-stricken father.
William hosted a Windsor Castle investiture ceremony and received “good wishes” for Charles, who earlier this week underwent his first treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer.
The future King had taken time off to support his family after the Princess of Wales underwent planned abdominal surgery on January 16, and returned to public duties once Kate’s care and recovery had settled.
But his first day back at work has found the monarchy dealing with the health scare surrounding his father, who is the head of state, and whose reign will pass the 17-month mark today.
Former England striker Ellen 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.
Harry had been told, like other senior royals, personally by the King about his diagnosis, and quickly boarded a flight from California, spending around 45 minutes at Charles’ Clarence House home on Tuesday.
Charles looked relaxed later that day when, as he returned to Sandringham, he was seen in public for the first time since his cancer diagnosis was announced by Buckingham Palace on Monday.
But there was no meeting between the estranged siblings William and Harry, who have had a fractured relationship for a number of years, exacerbated after the Sussexes stepped down as working royals, moved to America and aired a string of grievances against the royal family.
The duke was photographed earlier at a VIP area of Heathrow Airport, around 24 hours after first arriving in the UK, as he began his journey back to America.
Charles has postponed all publicfacing duties, but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers.
Downing Street took the unusual step of confirming details about Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s weekly audience with the King, following an agreement with Buckingham Palace, and said it would be held later over the phone.
William may step in to represent his father at an event, but no engagements are scheduled.