Prince Harry at the Royal Courts of Justice in London in March 2023.Photo: DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty
Prince Harryis leaving London after a quick trip to see his father,King Charles, shortly after Buckingham Palace announced that the monarch wasdiagnosed with cancer.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, was spotted at London’s Heathrow Airport on Wednesday after spending about 24 hours in the U.K.,The Sunreported.
Prince Harryarrived on Tuesdayafter catching a flight from Los Angeles on Monday and reportedly traveled to Clarence House, where King Charles andQueen Camillalive in London. The father and son are believed to have had a brief private meeting, reportedly reuniting for the first time since the coronation ceremony in May 2023.
“That is good,” a source close to the royal householdtells PEOPLE exclusivelyin this week’s cover story. “Hopefully [Harry] will bring the grandchildren at some point too, as that would be lovely for all of them."
While the Duke of Sussex spent time with his father before the Kingtraveled back to Sandringham, a royal source said there were “no plans” for Prince Harry and his brother,Prince William, to get together.
Prince William and Prince Harry on July 1, 2021.YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
It’s unclear where Prince Harry stayed overnight during the solo trip. He and his wife,Meghan Markle, were “requested to vacate” their Frogmore Cottage home in Windsor in March 2023 after stepping back from their royal roles in 2020 and moving to the U.S., a spokesperson said at the time. The couple settled in her home state of California with their sonPrince Archie, 4, and later welcomed daughterPrincess Lilibet, 2, stateside in 2021.
Prince Harry had asimilarly short tripto his home country when he traveled the 5,400-mile journey from California to London in May for his father’s coronation. Just hours after the crowning ceremony atWestminster Abbey, the Duke of Sussex headed to the airport to return home — and mark Prince Archie’s4th birthday, which fell on the same day as the royal event.
The Duke of Sussex was last in the U.K. when he attendedthe WellChild Awards in September. Harry has been a patron of the charity, which supports seriously ill children and their families, since 2007.
Prince Harry, a former captain in the British Army, founded the international adaptive sports tournament for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans in 2014.
It’s understood that King Charles, 75,personally informedhis two sons as well as other family members of hiscancer diagnosisbefore Buckingham Palace made the public announcement on Monday. Two days ago, the palace announced the monarch is receiving treatment for “a form of cancer” with a 138-word statement. The diagnosis was publicized shortly after King Charles underwent a procedure totreat a benign enlarged prostateon Jan. 26. The update came one week after the Kingleft the London Clinicfollowing a three-day stay after the surgery. However, he does not have prostate cancer.
“During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer,” began the statement from Buckingham Palace.
As heir to the throne, Prince Williammay undertake some duties on behalf of his fatherin addition to his own diary of engagements in the coming weeks, PEOPLE understands. However, there are currently no plans toappoint Counsellors of Stateto act on King Charles’ behalf. Counsellors of State are members of the royal family who cancarry out constitutional duties for the monarchif they are abroad or unwell.
“William will do his best, but the King will want to carry on with his duties as best he can,” says a source close to the royal household.
It’s understood that Prince William has not seen his father since the news was announced, but they are in regular contact.
The Prince of Wales, 41, has a full plate himself and made hisfirst public engagementon Wednesday sinceKate Middletonreturned home from the hospital followingabdominal surgeryand Buckingham Palace publicized the news about the King’s health. William had stepped away from royal duty to help care for his three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — while his wife, Princess Kate, recuperates. The Princess of Wales, 42, is not expected to return to public life until at least Easter, Kensington Palace previously said.
It was confirmed that Prince William wouldreturn to workbefore the Buckingham Palace announcement about King Charles. The Prince of Wales conducted a morning of investitures at Windsor Castle on behalf of his father on Wednesday, presenting medals to the likes of former soccer player Ellen White and brigadier Tobias Lambert, who was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Investitures recognize outstanding achievement, personal bravery or services to the U.K., and the ceremonies are held throughout the year to celebrate those named to the New Year Honors List or the sovereign’s Birthday Honors list.
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Ellen Convery, who is better known as Ellen White from her soccer playing days, received an MBE from the Prince of Wales for services to soccer as the royal returned to public duties.
“It was an incredible honor to receive an MBE so I feel very lucky,” she said at the castle.
“I sent my best wishes to the King and obviously to Kate, the Princess of Wales as well,” she continued. “He was lovely. He really appreciated it. I just wanted to send my best wishes.”
PEOPLE magazine, Feb. 19.
King Charles commenced treatment as an out-patient in London on Monday, and reportedly returned to Sandringham — where he and Queen Camilla attended church on Sunday — on Tuesday after seeing Harry. Feb. 6 is an emotional date on the family calendar, doubling as the anniversary ofQueen Elizabeth’s accession and the death of her father,King George VI.
source: people.com
