Prince William has resumed his public duties for the first time since his father, King Charles, was diagnosed with cancer and his wife, the Princess of Wales, underwent abdominal surgery.
Prince William, 41, has hosted investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle and will tonight attend a gala fundraising dinner for London’s Air Ambulance Charity in his role as the organisation’s patron.
The father-of-three had temporarily stepped back from royal duties when Kate was admitted to hospital on 16 January, in order to juggle caring for his wife and their children.
The Princess spent 13 days at the London Clinic – the same private hospital where Charles received treatment for an enlarged prostate.
On Tuesday, Buckingham Palace confirmed the King, who only acceded to the throne 17 months ago, does not have prostate cancer, saying only that he has a “form of cancer”.
He was diagnosed after a “separate issue of concern was noted” and investigated while he was being treated for his benign enlarged prostate.
The 75-year-old King was seen in public for the first time since his cancer diagnosis on Tuesday as he left Clarence House the day after starting his treatment, following a brief reunion with the Duke of Sussex.
Harry arrived in London from California on Tuesday afternoon, less than 24 hours after the announcement about the King’s health was made to the nation by the palace.
William is not expected to meet with his brother while Harry is in London.
Prince William Pictured For The First Time
The Prince carried out the investiture at Windsor Castle on Wednesday morning – which is one of his own regular duties – where former England footballer Ellen White was among those receiving honours.
William, who is president of the Football Association, made the record-scoring Lioness an MBE for services to football.
Ellen White’s Tribute To King Charles
Asked about her conversation with the prince, Ellen told the PA news agency: “I sent my best wishes to the King. I just think, you know, it must be a difficult time for the family. He was really lovely.”
She added: “It was a really nice conversation. I’ve met him a couple of times, he definitely puts you at ease.”
Other recipients due at the ceremony include David Shreeve – who co-founded an environmental action group with TV botanist David Bellamy – and Francis Dickinson – who solved an 80-year-old maritime mystery by locating the wreck of a submarine which was lost at sea during the Second World War.
Tonight’s gala dinner for London’s Air Ambulance Charity will raise funds for its Up Against Time appeal, which is seeking £15 million to replace the service’s helicopter fleet by the autumn.
King Charles To Continue Weekly Audiences With Prime Minister
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will have his weekly audience with the King over the phone following Charles’ cancer diagnosis, No 10 said.
An official spokesman said: “We don’t in general and we are not going to get into the habit of commenting on the PM’s conversations with the King.
“But we have agreed with the Palace in this specific instance to confirm that they will be speaking on the phone later.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the Commons earlier today: “I know the thoughts of the House and the country are with the King and his family. We wish His Majesty a speedy recovery and look forward to him resuming his public-facing duties in due course.”
