Harry back home in US as William thanks public for support after King's cancer diagnosis

The Duke of Sussex, 39, flew back to Los Angeles from Heathrow on Wednesday after travelling to the UK to see his father
Robert Jobson8 February 2024

Prince Harry on Thursday returned home following a whirlwind trip to London to see his father following his cancer diagnosis — as the rest of the royal family carried on with business as usual without him.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, arrived back in Los Angeles after travelling to London without wife Meghan and children Archie and Lilibet. Harry met his father at Clarence House on Tuesday before King Charles, 75, headed to his Norfolk residence, Sandringham

The prince, who took it upon himself to travel after Charles personally told him of his cancer diagnosis, got to spend just 30 minutes with the King.

Harry’s gesture is said to have “touched” Charles. However, the duke’s trip did not include a reunion with Prince William, who was too busy carrying out royal duties and not inclined to see his brother.

Relations between them remain strained following Harry’s bombshell claims about the royal family in his memoir Spare.

Insiders say William has too much to do — caring for his young family, carrying out engagements and preparing to step up for the King should he be needed.

One senior figure told the Evening Standard: “No they did not meet. It is a busy time.”

Others were blunter saying that William was focused on his own responsibilities and did not need the drama that comes with his brother.

BRITAIN-ROYALS
Prince William poses for a photo with Tom Cruise at the London Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Harry was not invited to stay at a royal residence and instead spent a night at a London hotel. The prince, who now lives in Montecito, California, is not expected to visit Britain again any time soon.

The Prince of Wales on Wednesday returned to public duties and spoke about the King’s cancer diagnosis for the first time.

William expressed his gratitude to the public for their “kind messages of support” during a fundraising gala dinner in central London. He also recognised those who wished the Princess of Wales well as she recovers from planned abdominal surgery.

He told the guests: “I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days. It means a great deal to us all. It’s fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather medical focus.”

The heir to the throne had taken time off to support his family after Kate’s operation on January 16.

William gave a pre-dinner speech at the event at Raffles hotel, raising funds for London’s Air Ambulance charity’s new fleet of helicopters, where guests included Tom Cruise and Arsenal football club manager Mikel Arteta.

The King and Queen on The Mall after leaving Clarence House on Tuesday(PA)
PA Wire

The prince, a former air ambulance pilot, has been patron of the organisation since 2020, while Top Gun actor Cruise is a supporter.

With the King and Kate out of action, William, the Queen and Princess Royal will be the key royals holding the fort, along with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie.

Edward last night attended the First Days Gala 2024, the National Youth Theatre’s annual fundraising event supporting emerging young talent, at The Roundhouse — his first official duty since taking a break after visiting South Africa and St Helena last month.

The Queen is due to visit the South-West on Thursday evening, with the Princess Royal carrying out engagements in west London.

Weekly audiences between the King and Rishi Sunak are expected to resume in person in two weeks, it is understood.

Downing Street and Buckingham Palace took the unusual step of confirming details of a call between the two on Wednesday in an attempt to show that the King was carrying on with his duties. The Prime Minister wished Charles well in a brief telephone conversation before formal face-to-face audiences are set to start again on February 21.

William may step in to represent his father at events but no engagements are scheduled at the moment. Kate left hospital on January 29 and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her children, but the future queen, 42, is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter.

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