Prince William is expected to speak for the first time about his father King Charles III's cancer diagnosis at a charity gala this evening. speaks as he resumes his royal duties.
The Prince of Wales will publicly highlight his father's illness in a speech at the London Air Ambulance's annual fundraising gala in London this evening.
William may also be expected to thank well-wishers and talk about what the royal family has been through in the last few days since the monarch's diagnosis.
However, he will not discuss the ongoing breakdown in relations between him and Prince Harry – and has no plans to see his brother during his visit to the UK.
William will make two public appearances today: first he will hold an investiture ceremony on behalf of the King at Windsor Castle and then he will hold the charity gala tonight.
It will be Williams' first appearance since Kate Middleton was hospitalized for abdominal surgery. The prince was last seen outside the London Clinic on January 18 after visiting his wife – and she is not expected to be seen in public again until at least Easter.
Prince William was last seen outside the London Clinic on January 18, 2024, after visiting Kate
King Charles and Queen Camilla are seen leaving Clarence House in London yesterday
Prince William and Kate with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in June 2022
Prince Harry is seen at Clarence House in London yesterday to meet his father
Although the heir to the throne will return to public duties today – after deciding to “clear his schedule” to support the Princess of Wales during and after her operation last month – he is not expected to take on full-time royal duties yet quite.
At today's investiture, William will present more than 50 honors, including one to former England footballer Ellen White, 34.
In the evening he will attend the London Air Ambulance's annual fundraising gala in central London. He has been a patron of the charity since 2020.
The dinner is being held in support of the charity's biggest fundraising campaign to date, which aims to raise £15 million to replace its fleet of helicopters.
After today, Prince William has no more activities planned this week and will be back with Kate and the children next week during their half-term vacation.
Princess Anne will also be back in action today after completing four appointments yesterday, three of which are planned today in Berkshire, London and Oxfordshire.
A source said: “The prince has always made it clear that his priority is to support his wife and family for the time being – and he has given no timetable for this.”
“He will return to duty on Wednesday, but you should not expect to see him again for a short time after that.”
His team at Kensington Palace are understood to be talking to their counterparts at Buckingham Palace about what public appearances William might take part in in his father's place.
King Charles and Queen Camilla attend church at Sandringham in Norfolk on February 4, 2024
Prince William holds a prior investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on January 24, 2023
They are likely to attend further investitures and perhaps lead the family at events such as the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey early next month.
However, since His Majesty insists on maintaining a firm grip on the affairs of state during his treatment, it is highly unlikely that the future king will need to take on any constitutional matters.
William, 41, is understood to have his father's “100 per cent” support in returning at his own pace.
A source said: “The King adores Catherine and thinks she is doing a wonderful job. “He understands that family comes first.”
Since his accession to the throne, the king has been spending more and more time at Windsor Castle, often staying there on Sunday evenings to spend more time with his son and young grandchildren, with whom he is becoming increasingly close.
William, who now lives in Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor Estate, just a short walk from the castle, also frequently uses the rooms of the historic royal residence for meetings.
The Princess of Wales was unexpectedly hospitalized last month for what was described as “abdominal surgery”.
Kate and William on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation in May 2023
The Royal Helicopter that took King Charles and Queen Camilla to Sandringham yesterday
She spent two weeks at the London Clinic, where the king also had his prostate surgery, and is unlikely to return to royal duties before Easter.
Aides said at the time that her husband had canceled all upcoming engagements to be by her side and support their children Prince George, ten, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis.
Although they didn't give a timeline, sources suggested the prince would be staying with them in Windsor for “several weeks.”
William has always made it clear that at this stage of his life, his duty to his family takes precedence over his public role.
However, it is unusual for three senior members of the royal family to be out of action at the same time, particularly now that the king is likely to be away for longer than planned, meaning there will be few working members of the royal family.
And that means there will inevitably be more pressure on the future king to rise.