Prince William returned to royal duties today by leading an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle – while Kate recovers from abdominal surgery and Charles recovers at Sandringham after his first cancer treatment.
William, now the monarchy's most prominent figure, presented more than 50 honors on behalf of the king, including one to former England footballer and Lionesses record goalscorer Ellen White, 34.
The Prince of Wales was last seen outside the London Clinic on January 18 after visiting his wife, who returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor on Monday and will not be seen in public until at least Easter.
Prince Harry arrived in London yesterday and had a “brief meeting” with Charles at Clarence House, but sources close to William made it clear he has “no plans” to see his estranged brother.
William will appear at a charity gala tonight where he is expected to speak for the first time about his father's charity diagnosis. He may also thank well-wishers and discuss what the royal family has been through in the last few days.
However, the heir to the throne won't talk about his brother Harry, with a royal expert describing their relationship as “completely broken”.
Prince William made English soccer player Ellen White a member of the Order of the British Empire at Windsor Castle today
William had a quick chat with White, the England women's national team's record goalscorer
The Prince of Wales smiles as he chats to royal advisers ahead of today's ceremony
The King's outpatient cancer treatment began earlier this week and he returned with the Queen to his home at Sandringham in Norfolk yesterday after seeing his son, the Duke of Sussex, who had flown back to the UK from California.
Charles has postponed all public duties, but continues to work behind the scenes on his red boxes of government securities.
William could step in to represent his father at an event, but no dates are currently planned and royal palaces will make arrangements if necessary.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry flew 5,000 miles from California yesterday to visit his father for 45 minutes after the royal received a shock cancer diagnosis.
But while Harry's transatlantic foray raised hopes that he will continue to heal wounds with his family, there have been no “signs” of a reunion between the two royal brothers.
BBC Royal correspondent Daniela Relph said the chances of a reconciliation between William and Harry remained unlikely given their ongoing feud.
“It's a sibling relationship that still looks incredibly fractured.” We don't know if either side has tried in any way to reach a ceasefire. “As things stand there doesn’t seem to be any sign of that,” she told Radio 4.
“You have to take that as a sign of the state of their relationship. There is nothing in the diary that tells us they should meet while Harry is in the UK.”
“It also means Harry will not visit his sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales, who is unwell and who was once very close to him.”
The Duke of Sussex was one of the first family members to visit Charles after his shock diagnosis was made public.
According to The Telegraph, another visit by Harry to his father is not out of the question, but it is understood that the Duke will not pay his older brother a visit during his stay in London.
Royal biographer Robert Hardman told Radio 4 that in difficult times it was common for feuding families to “come together”.
Mr Hardman said: “In times of crisis, families come together and I think everyone will be happy to see that.”
“I think there is a sense of business as usual and that is a message the palace is trying to get out there, but if we see some bridges being built then that must be good.” Thing.'
The honor, bestowed by William White, recognizes her “services to association football.”
William regularly presents honors on behalf of the King (here he is seen with England footballer Ellen White).
White appeared animated as she had a brief conversation with William at the investiture ceremony
William made Edward Harley, Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Commander of the Order of the British Empire
William makes Brigadier Tobias Lambert an Officer of the Order of the British Empire
William smiled as he chatted to the senior official during today's ceremony at Windsor Castle
William presents an honor during the ceremony at Windsor Castle this morning
Although William returned to his public duties today – after deciding to “clear his diary” to support the Princess of Wales during and after her operation last month – he is not expected to return to full-time royal duties quite yet.
Tonight 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, William has no more work planned this week and will be back with Kate and the children next week during their half term break.
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.
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”.
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.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are seen leaving Clarence House in London yesterday
Prince Harry is seen at Clarence House in London yesterday to meet his father
William with Susan Taylor, Chair of the British Amateur Rugby League Association, who has been appointed OBE
The award for Ms Taylor, from Huddersfield, recognizes her contributions to rugby league football
Dr. Andrew Haynes, an NHS doctor, has been made an OBE by the Prince of Wales
Harry chats with one of the soldiers attending the investiture ceremony this morning
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 unheard of for three senior members of the royal family to be out of action at the same time, especially 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.
Harry reunited with his father for the first time in 18 months yesterday – for just 45 minutes – after the King received a shocking cancer diagnosis.
Hours after Charles personally called him to break the news, the Duke of Sussex had boarded a plane from the US to London to visit him.
But their meeting at the monarch's residence at Clarence House lasted less than an hour.
The king, who appeared remarkably fresh and cheerful despite having begun treatment for an unspecified cancer in hospital on Monday, soon flew by helicopter to Sandringham, his Norfolk estate, with his devoted wife, Queen Camilla.
The Mail understands he is “doing well” and in “very good shape”.
After several years of violent attacks on the monarchy and on himself and his wife personally, William has now become completely estranged from Harry.
Sources made it clear that, as in recent weeks, William's focus is on the Princess of Wales, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, and her three children in Windsor.
A source previously told the Mail that the future king respected his father's decision to “leave the door open for Harry” but that was “not an option for him personally for now.”
The day of family drama comes after Buckingham Palace announced on Monday evening that the 75-year-old monarch had begun immediate treatment after doctors diagnosed a “problem” during surgery last month for an enlarged prostate, which in itself is harmless “had determined.
Subsequent diagnostic tests identified a type of cancer that was not specified by royal aides but was confirmed not to be prostate cancer, a leading cause of death among men in the United Kingdom.
As a result, the king has postponed all of his public engagements, although he continues to work hard behind the scenes on his state and constitutional duties.
The Mail revealed yesterday that his condition had been identified at an “early stage” and his prognosis was positive.
His Majesty looks forward to “resuming full public service as soon as possible.”
Prince William was last seen outside the London Clinic on January 18, 2024, after visiting Kate
Prince William and Kate with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in June 2022
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
He personally called all close family members to break the news, including Harry, who was last in Britain for his father's coronation last May.
However, it is not believed that father and son actually met on this occasion, meaning the last time they saw each other in person was at Queen Elizabeth's funeral in September 2022.
However, they have spoken to each other on the phone, with sources close to Harry apparently revealing details about a phone call he had with his father to mark his 75th birthday last November and how his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, shared a video They sang happy birthday to their grandfather, whom they had barely met.
The king is known to have been deeply hurt by his youngest son's many attacks on the family since he and his wife Meghan acrimoniously gave up their careers as working royals and moved to North America, including their series of wide-ranging television interviews and documentary series Harry's Memoirs, Save.
According to sources, although the king is exhausted by the drama and wants to concentrate on his role as monarch, he has insisted that he will never close the door on his youngest son.
It's not clear whether he invited Harry to visit or whether it was the prince's decision to come, but on Monday evening he was seen boarding a flight in Los Angeles.
He arrived at Heathrow Airport's Windsor VIP suite, used by the royal family, where he was greeted by two royal Range Rovers, at least three plain-clothed Royal Protection officers from the Metropolitan Police and two police escort cars.
Harry is currently taking legal action against the Home Office for withdrawing taxpayer-funded British police protection when he left the UK, arguing that he and his family would not feel safe in this country without him.
Dressed in a black jacket over a seemingly casual black T-shirt, Harry raced through the main gates of Clarence House after whizzing past the monarch's official London residence, Buckingham Palace, at 2:45 p.m., his head firmly turned to the side.
The king and queen – who Harry had recently described as “dangerous” and “villain” to his father's annoyance – were already inside and had taken up residence on Monday so the king could get to the hospital.
Royal advisers have refused to even discuss the meeting, although the fact that it took place at all is understood to be seen as a reason for “optimism”.
Some believe that the fact that Harry flew to London so quickly and his father saw him immediately could even indicate the beginning of a “thaw.”
But there was no hiding the fact that it only lasted three quarters of an hour when the same cars drove out at 3:32 p.m., apparently with Harry inside, although he wasn't in sight.
It is unclear whether he plans to remain in the country or immediately return to California, where his wife Meghan has remained. His spokesman did not respond to requests for comment. He has previously stayed at an unknown hotel and is unlikely to be offered royal accommodation.
Apparently Charles and Camilla had already packed their bags, because just six minutes later, at 3:38 p.m., they too drove out of the gates.
The King, looking dapper in his suit and patterned tie, looked remarkably healthy and waved and smiled warmly at well-wishers, as did Queen Camilla.
A few minutes later, the monarch's distinctive burgundy helicopter could be seen taking off from the gardens of Buckingham Palace and arriving at Sandringham at 4.20pm.
The Mail understands it was always the king's plan to return to his Norfolk estate to recover and work in peace after completing his initial treatment.
The Royal Helicopter that took King Charles and Queen Camilla to Sandringham yesterday
Yesterday – February 6 – is the day his grandfather, King George VI, died of lung cancer at Sandringham House in 1952 and his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, ascended to the throne.
According to sources, the king appears to be in good spirits and “if you didn't know, you wouldn't suspect there was anything wrong with him.”
He is said to be “up to speed” and dealing with the red boxes of official paperwork required of him as head of state.
It is understood His Majesty plans to return to London if treatment is required or if he has important official business, including meetings with the Prime Minister.
However, his return to Sandringham yesterday suggests that at least their first normal conversation will be over the phone on Wednesday.
His treatment will be broken up with periods of recovery at one of his country estates, including Sandringham, Highgrove in Gloucestershire and Windsor.
It is likely he will also return to a Covid-style way of working with more telephone meetings and video calls to minimize public contact and protect his health in the early stages of medical procedures.
The Prime Minister said yesterday he was “shocked and saddened” by the King's cancer diagnosis but insisted ministers would “get on with” the business of government.
Rishi Sunak, who was informed of the news before it was made public on Monday evening, said he remained “in regular contact” with the monarch “and will continue to communicate with him as usual”.