Prince William is expected to speak about his father King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis for the first time at a charity gala tonight as he returns to royal duties.
The Prince of Wales is set to publicly acknowledge his father’s illness during a speech at the London Air Ambulance annual fundraising gala in London this evening.
William is also expected to possibly thank wellwishers and speak about what the Royal Family have been through in recent days since the monarch’s diagnosis.
However, he will not talk about the ongoing breakdown in relations between him and Prince Harry – and has no plans to see his brother while he is in visiting Britain.
William will undertake two public engagements today – first holding an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on behalf of the King, and then the charity gala tonight.
It will be William’s first appearances since his wife Kate Middleton went into hospital for abdominal surgery. She is set to be out of the public eye until at least Easter.
While the heir to the throne will return to public duties today – after having decided to ‘clear his diary’ in order to support the Princess of Wales during and after her operation last month – he is not expected to pick up full-time royal duties quite yet.
After today, Prince William has no further duties scheduled this week and will be with Kate and the children again next week during their half-term holiday.
Princess Anne will also be back in action today after conducting four engagements yesterday, with three today scheduled across Berkshire, London and Oxfordshire.
Prince William is set to return to royal duties today with two engagements
It’s William’s first action since Kate Middleton’s hospitalisation and King Charles’ cancer diagnosis
First, William will hold an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on behalf of the King
This will be followed by a gala dinner in central London in his role as patron of the London Air Ambulance
Prince William will continue to put his wife and children’s welfare to the fore as he steps up to help his ailing father
A source said: ‘The Prince has always made clear that his priority is to support his wife and family for the time being – and he did not put a timescale on that.
‘He will make a return to duties on Wednesday but you should not expect to see him again for a bit after that.’
It is understood that his team at Kensington Palace are speaking to their opposite numbers at Buckingham Palace about which public engagements William could potentially attend in his father’s place.
They are likely to be along the lines of further investitures and, perhaps, leading the family at events such as the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey early next month.
But with His Majesty insisting on keeping his hand firmly on the tiller of State business during his treatment, it is highly unlikely that the future king will be required to take over any constitutional matters.
It is understood that William, 41, has his father’s ‘100 per cent’ backing 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.’
The King has been spending an increasing amount of time at Windsor Castle since his accession, often staying over on Sunday evenings, affording him more time with his son and young grandchildren to whom he is growing ever closer.
William, who now lives in Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor Estate, a short walk from the castle, also often uses rooms in the historic royal residence for meetings.
The Princess of Wales was unexpectedly admitted to hospital last month for what has been described only as ‘abdominal surgery’.
She spent two weeks in The London Clinic, where the King also underwent his prostate operation, and she is unlikely to start undertaking royal duties again until after Easter.
William will be with Kate and the children again next week during their half-term holiday
William has always made clear that, at this stage in his life, his duty to his family comes ahead of his public role
Prince Harry is pictured arriving at Clarence House to meet his father
It is understood that William, 41, has his father’s ‘100 per cent’ backing in returning at his own pace
King Charles III leaves Clarence House by car in London today
The Royal Helicopter that brought King Charles and Queen Camilla to Sandringham
King Charles and Queen Camilla are pictured leaving Clarence House today
Aides said at the time that her husband had cancelled all his forthcoming engagements to be by her side and support their children Prince George, ten, Princess Charlotte, eight and five-year-old Prince Louis.
While they did not put a timeline on it, sources suggested the Prince would remain at Windsor with them for ‘several weeks’.
William has always made clear that, at this stage in his life, his duty to his family comes ahead of his public role.
However, it is unheard of to have three senior members of the Royal Family out of action at one time, particularly now the King is likely to be away for longer than planned, meaning working royals will be thin on the ground.
And this means there will, inevitably, be more pressure on the future king to step up.
At today’s investiture, William will hand out more than 50 honours, including one to former England women’s footballer Ellen White, 34.
In the evening, he will attend the London Air Ambulance annual fundraising gala in central London. He has been the charity’s patron since 2020.
The dinner is being held in support of the charity’s largest ever fundraiser, hoping to produce £15million to replace its helicopter fleet.
