JENNI MURRAY: Harry has been there in his father’s hour of need, just like my boys rushed to be with me

It came as no surprise to me that Prince Harry hotfooted it to Los Angeles airport as soon as his father, the King, phoned him to tell him he’d been diagnosed with cancer. He clearly couldn’t get to Britain fast enough, touching down on Tuesday lunchtime.

It’s often thought daughters are the ones who drop everything to help an ailing parent — that sons cannot be relied upon in the same way. Too busy, or not as empathetic. But the Duke of Sussex surely disproves this outmoded assumption.

Harry has seemingly set aside the damaging remarks he’s made about his family in recent years. With no shame or hesitation, he set off, alone, to be with his father. The meeting between the two may have been a brief 45 minutes, or less, but, given it was the first time they’d had any proper time together for 17 months, it was a visit that spoke volumes about Harry’s concern for his father.

From my own recent experiences, I know only too well how loving sons will drop everything to offer you their love and support in your hour of need.

Jenni Murray with (from left) husband David and sons Charlie and Ed after she was made a Dame Commander by the Queen at Buckingham Palace

First came the fall in December which resulted in the agonising broken vertebrae. My sons Ed and Charlie took turns to help me through the excruciating process of lying still on my back for five MRI scans. As I screamed in pain and begged to be let out of the machine, they spoke softly and warmly, telling me it would soon be over and I needed to be brave so the full scan could be taken. They even managed to stroke my hair. Without them there, I think I would have gone mad.

Next, worried that it would be too much for me to be home alone, they arranged care in a respite home, where I could recuperate.

They fixed physio, the occasional trip out for dinner and then, when one of the nurses noticed a dodgy heartbeat, they were there at the hospital as atrial fibrillation — a condition that causes an irregular heart rate — was diagnosed.

On my next emergency admission to hospital on New Year’s Eve, this time with double pneumonia, they were there again.

I’m home now, but they’re still supportive as the cardiologist plans treatment.

As I’ve struggled with all these sudden shocks, feeling quite wretched, I’ve known I was loved and need never have worried that I don’t have a daughter to support me as I age. Sons are more than enough.

The King, I’m sure, now knows as I do that the young boys — men — he’s raised are there for him, regardless of circumstances.

Even if the brothers didn’t meet this time, William, surely, must be relieved that Harry has demonstrated his sense of duty and care for family ties in this way.

Charles and his sons on a family ski holiday in Switzerland in 2005

JENNI MURRAY: I still believe Harry is a nice boy at heart whose mother taught him to care about people going through difficult times. Perhaps he’ll recall those values now

The Prince of Wales must be anxious that his father might not be fit to do his job in the manner he’s expected to do it. His wife is recovering at home from her own medical emergency. There are three young children needing the attention of a parent. Never had the arrival of The Spare been so appropriate — or welcome.

I have no doubt that Harry, aware of the problems his sibling is facing, is ready to lay down the rivalry that’s existed between them for so long. This is no time for scraps over dog bowls, vying for attention or jealous point-scoring. That is what many brothers do, but my hope is that Harry’s visit at least hints at his regret for all the nasty things he’s said and written, and a desire to restore the loving relationship he once had with both his father and his brother.

I still believe Harry is a nice boy at heart whose mother taught him to care about people going through difficult times. Perhaps he’ll recall those values now.

I can only hope that in time Harry apologises to his brother in the deepest, most honourable manner, gives him a hug and asks what he can do to help. I wish he had also seen Kate to express his sympathy for her illness and restore the close and loving relationship they once had. He should also ask his auntie Anne for advice on how to return to the fold as a valued family member.

Most of all, Harry must try to make his peace in full with his father. I sincerely hope they hugged when they met in Clarence House on Tuesday. I’m sure deep down all Charles wants is for Harry to just be there — loving, supportive and grown up. Part of the family again.

Why we need health visitor ‘spies’ mums despise 

I’m horrified at this week’s report by the Academy of Medical Sciences that reveals how children are being ‘betrayed’ as the UK fails to give them a healthy start in life. More than a fifth of five-year-olds are overweight or obese. Nearly a quarter have tooth decay. Fewer of them are being vaccinated and there’s been a rise in infant mortality.

What happened to the safeguarding of children that was de rigueur when my children were small? Namely health visitors. We called them spies and bossy boots and dreaded their visits, but they were highly trained to make sure we were feeding our children well, that they were well cared for and protected.

Of course, like everything else, there’s a shortage of health visitors and a recent survey showed half of those that remain intend to quit in the next five years. So, there are now no dentists, no mental health services, not enough doctors or nurses and now no health visitors to look after the young and vulnerable. This is child abuse, nothing less.

Northern Irish First Minister Michelle O’Neil, left, and her deputy Emma Little-Pengelly

It’s a relief to see Northern Ireland has a government again and it’s led by two women — Michelle O’Neil and Emma Little-Pengelly on opposite sides of the great divide. I’m reminded of Mo Mowlam who cut through the sexism and macho behaviour of overconfident men at the time of the Good Friday talks. I suspect these two can join forces and have the same effect.

• The Justice Minister Mike Freer is my MP for now. His North London constituency office, which suffered an arson attack at Christmas, is not far from my home. He is not Jewish, but in a very Jewish constituency is, unsurprisingly, a ‘Conservative Friend of Israel’. In fear of his life, he will stand down at the next election. How shocking that he is not allowed to express his opinion.

This furore over age-gap sex scenes is idiotic

Martin Freeman and Jenna Ortega in Miller’s Girl, directed by Jade Bartlett

Lots of shock and horror on social media at Martin Freeman, 52, and Jenna Ortega, 21, pretending to have sex in a new film Miller’s Girl.

The story sounds a bit old hat and dodgy — teacher abuses power over student — but the actors are only pretending. It’s their job — you don’t have to watch it!