KING Charles spent 30 minutes with estranged son Harry today – their first meeting in 16 months.
The Duke flew 5,000 miles from the US to London after his father’s cancer diagnosis.
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Charles delayed his helicopter flight to Sandringham so he could reunite with Prince Harry for their first meeting in 16 monthsCredit: Reuters
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The Duke of Sussex flew 5,000 miles from California to see his fatherCredit: Louis Wood
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Harry was pictured in his vehicle at 2.40pm, surrounded by security, on his way to LondonCredit: LNP
The Duke of Sussex, 39, landed at Heathrow at lunchtime after a ten and a half hour overnight flight.
He was flown to London as Charles, 75, delayed a helicopter flight to Sandringham so they could hold their first meeting in 16 months.
The king was said to be “very well” and “completely normal”.
A friend who saw His Majesty said, “If you didn’t know something was wrong with him, you wouldn’t know.”
Another palace source said the king was “in his usual good form” and “just a little frustrated that his condition has affected not only his plans but others”.
Comes as:
William (41) did not join his father and warring brother.
Sources said the Prince of Wales has “no plans” to see Harry during his visit to the UK.
In an unusual move, Charles kept his helicopter waiting so he could meet Harry in person at his London home, Clarence House.
Sources said the king took the “significant” decision to postpone his travel plans following his son’s gesture to fly across the Atlantic at short notice.
Their meeting is thought to have lasted just over half an hour, with Harry and his entourage leaving Clarence House around 45 minutes after arriving.
It was the first time he and Charles had met privately since Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, although they had been in contact by phone.
Charles looked happy to be reunited as he was pictured for the first time since the palace announced his cancer diagnosis on Monday.
Charles seen for the first time since his cancer diagnosis after meeting Prince Harry
He smiled beside Camilla in the back of a state Bentley as they waved to the crowds on the short journey between Clarence House and Buckingham Palace.
The King and Queen ended up departing the palace gardens in their helicopter an hour later than planned.
Palace sources say he will take time out from his country residences and return to London for meetings, business and outpatient cancer treatment.
An insider said: “Charles always has a busy schedule and had an itinerary planned to leave London to rest and recuperate in Norfolk.
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Convoy of SUVs carrying Prince Harry arrives at Clarence House at 2.45pm Credit: James Manning/PA Wire
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A beaming Camilla and Charles wave to the crowds on their way from Clarence House at 3.35pm Credit: Reuters
How Charles bravely disclosed his diagnosis to help others
KING Charles has bravely broken royal protocol by sharing his cancer diagnosis.
The senior royals have been tight-lipped about their health battles in the past.
The last senior member of the royal family to be diagnosed with cancer was Charles’ grandfather George VI.
A heavy smoker, George had his left lung removed in September 1951 due to “structural abnormalities”, a few months before his death.
The “abnormalities” were actually life-threatening cancers, but the public never learned of George’s ordeal with cancer.
Buckingham Palace said Charles wanted to share his cancer diagnosis to encourage “public understanding” for cancer sufferers around the world.
“He is very particular about timing, but it was significant that he delayed his flight to Sandringham when he knew Harry was visiting.”
The insider added: “After all, the Duke of Sussex flew all the way from California at short notice and accepted the gesture. There is reason for optimism.”
It was significant that he delayed his flight to Sandringham when he knew Harry had visited
The Sun has learned there are no plans for Harry to spend time with the king at Sandringham.
Harry didn’t stay in any palaces last night and may have booked a place in a luxury London hotel.
He has not had a UK base since the Sussexes were evicted from Frogmore Cottage last summer.
Harry is not expected to stay in the UK for long and will return to the Montecito home he shares with wife Meghan and children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two.
He let it be known that he wanted to visit his father this week after the king phoned him with the news of the shock diagnosis.
On Monday evening US time, the Duke of Sussex was pictured leaving Los Angeles airport, his flight landing at Heathrow at 12.30pm.
‘Reason for optimism’
A convoy of four vehicles took him to London as Charles and Camilla, 76, prepared to go to Sandringham.
Royal protection officers are believed to have been part of the team accompanying the duke, who is no longer a member of the royal family.
He claimed it was unfair and illegal to remove his armed police protection when visiting the UK and sued the Home Office.
As his convoy made its way to London, courtiers began to prepare for the King and Queen’s departure to Sandringham.
The State Bentley arrived at Clarence House at 1.20pm to pick up the King and Queen.
But by then Harry had barely left Heathrow, 15 miles away.
This meant that the original plan for the senior royals to leave early was scrapped in order for Harry’s convoy to arrive on time.
At 2pm officers also entered Clarence House to join the King’s motorcade on the short trip to Buckingham Palace.
The luggage was packed and believed to be in vehicles traveling separately to Sandringham.
About this time the King’s helicopter left its base at RAF Odiham, Hants.
It was photographed landing in the palace gardens around 2:25 p.m.
As the helicopter waited for the King and Queen, Harry’s motorcade was spotted a few miles away on the A4 in Kensington, west London, at 2.30pm.
Fifteen minutes later, four vehicles arrived through the doors of Clarence House, with Harry, dressed in black, pictured sitting in the back seat of an SUV.
The Duke of Sussex flew in from California at short notice and accepted the gesture
The king was ready to go, but delayed his departure so that he could greet his son, it is understood.
After their meeting, Harry’s motorcade left Clarence House at around 3.30pm
A state chauffeured Bentley then took Charles and Camilla to Buckingham Palace.
Crowds of well-wishers gathered outside the palace gates to greet the King and Queen as they arrived.
The couple were then escorted to the royal helicopter which took off from the palace grounds at 3.46pm for the short journey to Sandringham.
It landed 115 miles away on the Norfolk estate at 4:20 p.m.
Sources said that instead of catching up with his brother, William stayed in Windsor to look after Kate, who is herself recovering from abdominal surgery.
He also looks after their three children – George, Charlotte and Louis – at Adelaide Cottage.
William will return to work today, attending an investiture at Windsor Castle and a gala for the London Air Ambulance.
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The King’s helicopter takes off from Buckingham Palace gardens at 3.46pm Credit: AP
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