Prince Harry leaves London after a short trip to see his father, King Charles, shortly after Buckingham Palace announced that the monarch had been diagnosed with cancer.
The Duke of Sussex (39) was spotted on Wednesday at London’s Heathrow Airport after spending about 24 hours in Great Britain, Sun reported.
Prince Harry arrived on Tuesday after catching a flight from Los Angeles on Monday and reportedly traveled to Clarence House, where King Charles and Queen Camilla live 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.
“It’s good,” a source close to the royal household told PEOPLE exclusively in this week’s cover story. “Hopefully [Harry] sometimes they will bring their grandchildren as well, because it would be nice for all of them.”
While the Duke of Sussex spent time with his father before the king returned to Sandringham, a royal source said there were “no plans” for Prince Harry and his brother, Prince William, to meet.
Prince William and Prince Harry on July 1, 2021.
YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Prince William makes his first royal appearance after Kate Middleton’s surgery and news of King Charles’ cancer
It is not clear where Prince Harry slept during the solo trip. He and his wife Meghan Markle have been “asked to leave” their Frogmore Cottage in Windsor in March 2023 after stepping down from their royal roles in 2020 and moving to the US, a spokesman said at the time. The couple settled in her home state of California with their son Prince Archie, 4, and later welcomed daughter Princess Lilibet, 2, in America in 2021.
Prince Harry had a similarly short trip to his homeland when he traveled 5,400 miles from California to London for his father’s coronation in May. Just hours after the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, the Duke of Sussex headed to the airport to fly home – and mark Prince Archie’s 4th birthday, which fell on the same day as the royal event.
The Duke of Sussex was last in the UK when he attended the WellChild Awards in September. Since 2007, Harry has been a patron of a charity that helps seriously ill children and their families.
Prince Harry and Meghan are scheduled to visit Canada from February 14 to February 16 to celebrate the One Year to Go Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. During their three-day visit, the couple is expected to join members of the participating countries’ winter training camp, which provides an opportunity for members of the international Invictus community, including team managers, coaches and competitors, to experience winter adaptive sports ahead of next year’s games.
Prince Harry, a former British Army captain, founded the international adaptive sports tournament for wounded, injured and ill servicemen and veterans in 2014.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(729x409:731x411)/prince-harry-meghan-markle-invictus-games-091423-11-5f54e8a0fb954116b4976f24388e6a81.jpg)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2023 Invictus Games.
Sascha Schuermann/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
It is understood that King Charles, 75, personally informed his two sons as well as other family members of his cancer diagnosis before Buckingham Palace made the public announcement on Monday. Two days ago, the palace announced the monarch was being treated for “a form of cancer” in a 138-word statement. The diagnosis was announced shortly after King Charles underwent a procedure to treat a benign enlarged prostate on January 26. The update came a week after the king left a London clinic following a three-day stay following surgery. However, he does not have prostate cancer.
“During King’s recent hospital procedure for a benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests identified a form of cancer,” the statement from Buckingham Palace began.
“His Majesty began his regular treatment schedule today, during which time his doctors have advised him to postpone public duties. During this period, His Majesty will continue to carry out government business and official paperwork as usual,” it continued.
“The King is grateful to his medical team for their prompt intervention, which was made possible by his recent hospital procedure. He remains completely positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible,” the statement added. . “His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope that it will aid in public understanding for those around the world who are affected by cancer.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(584x312:586x314)/king-charles-queen-camilla-church-sandringham-020424_1386-c1c3076792f145c1b2e03c179e8e25e3.jpg)
King Charles attends a Sunday service at St Mary Magdalene Church on February 4.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
King Charles’ cancer diagnosis caught even palace insiders off guard: ‘Shocked’ (Exclusive)
As heir to the throne, Prince William could take on some duties on his father’s behalf in the coming weeks with his own diary of engagements, people understand. However, there are currently no plans to appoint advisers of state to act on behalf of King Charles. Councilors of State are members of the royal family who can perform constitutional duties for the monarch if they are abroad or ill.
“William will do his best, but the king will want to get on with his duties as best he can,” said a source close to the royal household.
It is understood that Prince William has not seen his father since the news broke, but they are in regular contact.
The Prince of Wales (41) has a full plate himself, and on Wednesday he made his first public engagement since Kate Middleton returned home from hospital after abdominal surgery, and Buckingham Palace released news of the royal’s health. William has stepped back from royal duties to help care for his three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – while his wife, Princess Kate, recovers. The Princess of Wales, 42, is not expected to return to public life until at least Easter, Kensington Palace said.
It has been confirmed that Prince William will return to work before Buckingham Palace around King Charles. The Prince of Wales held an investiture morning at Windsor Castle on Wednesday on behalf of his father, presenting medals to the likes of former footballer Ellen White and Brigadier Tobias Lambert, who was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Investitures recognize outstanding achievements, personal bravery or services to the United Kingdom, and ceremonies are held throughout the year to celebrate those named in the New Year’s Honors List or the Sovereign’s Birthday Honors List.
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to receive the latest news on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
Ellen Convery, who is better known as Ellen White from her football days, received an MBE from the Prince of Wales for services to football after the royal family returned to public duties.
“It was an incredible honor to receive the MBE so I feel very lucky,” she said at the castle.
“I sent my best wishes to the King, and obviously to Kate, Princess of Wales,” she continued. “He was wonderful. He really appreciated it. I just wanted to send my best wishes.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(1180x0:1182x2)/PEOPLE_KingCharles_cover-0205-c32f362c3b5a4edca21f906bd7b05605.jpg)
PEOPLE magazine, February 19.
King Charles began outpatient treatment in London on Monday and reportedly returned to Sandringham – where he and Queen Camilla attended church on Sunday – on Tuesday after seeing Harry. February 6 is an emotional date in the family calendar, as well as the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne and the death of her father, King George VI.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education