Prince Harry to fly to London ‘in coming days’ and has ‘spoken with’ King Charles about shock cancer diagnosis
Prince Harry will be flying to London in the coming days after King Charles III personally told him he has cancer, it was revealed today.
The Duke of Sussex will soon be leaving California for Britain but it is not yet clear if his wife Meghan Markle or their children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, will come with him.
The King contacted both the Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales personally to tell them of his cancer diagnosis before it was announced by Buckingham Palace.
A source close to Harry said that he had immediately decided to come to the UK as soon as possible to be by his father’s side. Experts have claimed that Harry’s dash to Britain ‘indicates the seriousness’ of the King’s condition.
Announcing that Prince Harry will come and see his father, a source close to the Duke said: ‘The duke did speak with his father about his diagnosis. He will be traveling to UK to see His Majesty in the coming days.’
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said she hoped that King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis ‘will bring a reconciliation’ with Prince Harry.
Harry estranged brother William is also in close contact with his father but neither brother has made a public statement yet. The heir to the throne, who returns to public duties this week after helping to settle his wife, the Princess of Wales, at home as she recovers from abdominal surgery.
He may also undertake some duties on behalf of his father, in addition to his own diary of engagements, while the King undergoes treatment.
Prince Harry will be flying to London in the coming days after King Charles’ cancer diagnosis was made public. It is not known if Meghan and his children will come with them
King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer , Buckingham Palace announced in a statement this evening. Above: Charles was last seen waving to well-wishers as he attended a service with his wife Queen Camilla at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Sunday
Buckingham Palace said in a statement tonight: ‘During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer’
Experts hope that the diagnosis will bring some kind of reconciliation between Harry and his father and brother
As the King’s cancer shocked Britain, the Commonwealth and the world, it also emerged:
Buckingham Palace announced on Monday that doctors discovered the cancer during a medical procedure for an enlarged prostate. Sources have suggested that the cancer is in a different part of the King’s body but was discovered during the surgery last week.
Prince Harry was last in the UK over the summer, when he attended an event for a children’s charity. However, he did not meet with the Royal family during that visit before heading to Germany for his Invictus Games where he met up with Meghan.
The Duke of Sussex attended his father’s coronation last May, but left London just hours after the ceremony to return to Montecito.
Harry is believed to be in contact with his father but sources have claimed that there has been no rapprochement with William, who is said to have been left upset by the Sussexes’ attacks on the Royal Family since Megxit.
Harry’s visit will raise hopes that there could be some thawing in the relations, which have been rocky since he and Meghan emigrated in 2020.
King Charles’ cancer diagnosis has shocked the world.
The 75-year-old monarch has returned to London from Sandringham to begin treatment immediately.
It is not connected with his recent surgery and is not prostate cancer, but medics spotted it when he underwent his medical procedure for an enlarged prostate.
The Duke of Sussex has spoken with the King about his cancer diagnosis and will travel to the UK to see him in the coming days, a source close to Harry said.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement tonight: ‘During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.
‘His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.
‘The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
‘His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.’
The palace said the King ‘looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible’, but it is not yet known whether it will affect his attendance at events such as those marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June.
It is understood he will continue to receive red boxes and process state documents during treatment and there are no plans to appoint Counsellors of State.
A palace spokesman said: ‘Regrettably, a number of the King’s forthcoming public engagements will have to be rearranged or postponed.
‘His Majesty would like to apologise to all those who may be disappointed or inconvenienced as a consequence.’
It is understood details of the King’s diary are still being worked on and it is not yet known when a full programme of engagements will begin.
Reacting to the news, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: ‘Wishing His Majesty a full and speedy recovery.
‘I have no doubt he’ll be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will be wishing him well.’
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: ‘On behalf of the Labour Party, I wish His Majesty all the very best for his recovery.
‘We look forward to seeing him back to swift full health.’
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told MPs: ‘I know the whole House will wish to join me in expressing our sympathies with His Majesty the King following the news announcement this evening.
‘Our thoughts are, of course, with His Majesty and his family, and we’d all wish to send him our very best wishes for the successful treatment and a speedy recovery following tonight’s news.’
The monarch, 75, received treatment for an enlarged prostate last week, spending three nights at the London Clinic private hospital
When he was discharged from hospital last Monday, the King appeared steady on his feet as he walked out of the London Clinic in Marylebone with Queen Camilla by his side
The diagnosis is also likely to be professionally devastating for Charles, who was the longest-serving heir to the throne in British history before he became King on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, on September 8 2022.
Since then he has hit the ground running with three state visits overseas, hosting two incoming state visits to the UK and undertaking hundreds of public engagements each year, taking on a punishing official workload well into his 70s.
Aides have said he has relished the challenge and is hugely enjoying his royal role.
The King’s diagnosis will pose serious questions for the working of the monarchy, with fewer working members of the royal family and the Princess of Wales out of action due to what has only been described as ‘abdominal surgery’ until after Easter.
The Prince of Wales, who is heir to the throne, had cleared his diary to be by his wife’s side and keep life as normal as possible for their three children.
Kensington Palace announced earlier today, however, that he would resume public duties this week by conducting an investiture on Wednesday at Windsor Castle, followed by a gala fundraising event for the London Air Ambulance in the evening.
While Queen Elizabeth suffered episodic periods of ill-health over the years and underwent surgery on a number of occasions, including on her knee and cataracts, there was no major health crisis of this magnitude until the very last months of her historic 70-year reign.
That, however, would have a serious knock-on effect on the family life of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
They moved to Windsor 18-months ago in order to allow their children to enjoy a more carefree childhood, outside of the royal bubble, until absolutely necessary.
Prince George, ten, who is second in line to the throne, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis all attend a local school. Lambrook, and have settled in well at their new home, Adelaide Cottage.
William and Kate’s team are still based at Kensington Palace in London, their official residence, and travel up to Windsor for meetings.
Questions will inevitably be asked how practicable it will be for them to do so now.
The King has largely enjoyed very good health throughout his life, apart from suffering from a cripplingly bad back.
The first sign that anything was amiss with his health came on January 17 when Buckingham Palace made a surprise announcement that the King had ‘sought treatment’ for an enlarged prostate.
The palace added that His Majesty’s condition was ‘benign’ and that he would attend hospital the following week for a corrective procedure.
They said he was personally keen to share details of his diagnosis to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get themselves check.
The NHS subsequently reported an encouraging spike in people seeking more information on their website.
His Majesty, who was in Scotland at the time, travelled back down to Sandringham afterwards and then on to London the night before his surgery.
He was admitted to The London Clinic in Marylebone, central London, on January 26 with his wife, Queen Camilla, by his side.
Buckingham Palace said he wanted to thank everyone for their good wishes and was delighted to learn that his diagnosis was having a positive impact on public health awareness.
He was finally released on Monday last week after three nights in hospital and said to be ‘doing well’.
He initially resided at Clarence House, his London residence, in order to be close to his doctors, before returning to Sandringham with his wife.
Queen Camilla has continued to undertake public engagements, telling members of the l public that her husband was ‘doing fine’ and looking forwards to getting back to work.
Last Tuesday she told well-wishers he was ‘getting on’ and ‘doing his best’, adding: ‘Thank goodness!’
One in every three men over the age of 50 will have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, which include needing to visit the toilet more frequently, with more urgency, and difficulty emptying the bladder.
An enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, does not usually pose a serious threat to health, and it is not cancer.
But patients may need to have several tests for the condition to rule out the possibility they have another illness with similar symptoms, such as prostate cancer.
Surgery is usually only recommended for moderate to severe symptoms that have not responded to medicine.
Mark Drakeford , the First Minister of Wales, wished the King a ‘full and swift recovery’ following his cancer diagnosis.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he said: ‘I’m saddened to hear the news that HM King Charles III is facing further health challenges.
‘My thoughts and those of people across Wales will be with him and his family this evening.
‘I send my very best wishes as he starts treatment for a full and swift recovery.
‘Gwellhad buan.’
Northern Ireland’s new First Minister Michelle O’Neill, who as leader of Sinn Fein is a republican, wished the King a full and speedy recovery.
‘I am very sorry to hear of King Charles’ illness and I want to wish him well for his treatment, and a full and speedy recovery,’ she posted on X.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said after the shocking news today: ‘I am saddened to have heard about His Majesty The King’s diagnosis.
‘I know that the Jewish communities of Great Britain and the Commonwealth will join me in wishing him a Refuah Sheleima – a complete and swift recovery.’
The 75-year-old monarch left the London Clinic last monday with Queen Camilla by his side
The King waved to a large crowd of wellwishers when he left the London Clinic last Monday
The King was visited by Queen Camilla four times when he was in hospital
Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins wrote on X: ‘My thoughts are with King Charles and the whole Royal Family.
‘His decision to share his diagnosis to assist public understanding for all those affected by cancer is commendable.
‘Wishing His Majesty the very best and look forward to seeing him resume his public duties.’
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, who received treatment for kidney cancer in 2021, said: ‘One in two of us will develop cancer during our lives, but millions more are affected when someone they love is diagnosed with cancer.
‘Sending best wishes to His Majesty for his treatment and to his family as they support him throughout.’
