Prince William arrives to give speech about Charles’ cancer battle as he steps up to lead after dad’s health shock
PRINCE William has arrived at a fundraising gala where he is expected to give a speech about his father's cancer diagnosis.
The Prince of Wales, 41, will speak to guests at an event raising money for the London Air Ambulance Charity at London's Raffles Hotel.
As he arrived this evening, William told well-wishers: "We really appreciate everyone’s kindness. Thank you."
The prince will meet crew members, former patients and supporters at the event.
He is then expected to publicly acknowledge the King's illness for the first time during a heartfelt speech.
But he will not mention his brother's visit to the UK, sources say.
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William, a former air ambulance pilot, is understood to want to "reassure the public" by stepping in and attending the event.
It comes as:
- The King has been diagnosed with a form of cancer
- Prince Harry rushed to the airport in LA to fly home to support his father
- Meghan will remain in California with their children
- The King personally called his siblings and children to tell them of his diagnosis
- Charles is receiving expert care from specialist doctors
- His Majesty returned from Sandringham to London to begin treatment
- Doctors advised the King to postpone public-facing Royal duties
- Camilla and William will step up to share the weight of the King's duties during his treatment
- Charles will continue to receive Red Boxes and State documents
- Charles and Camilla shared a cancer message just a day before announcing his diagnosis
It comes hours after he returned to public engagements by holding an investiture at Windsor Castle this morning.
The event was his first engagement after pausing his diary for three-and-a-half weeks to care for Kate and their three children following his wife's abdominal surgery last month.
William was seen smiling and joking as he handed out gongs at the ceremony.
Former England Lioness Ellen White was among those receiving honours and chatted with William as he awarded her an MBE.
William is not expected to acknowledge Harry in his speech tonight, despite his brother's flying visit to the UK.
Harry was pictured smiling as he headed back to LA earlier today following a whistle-stop trip to see his father.
The duke was seen arriving at London Heathrow at 1.30pm - just 25 hours after landing at 12.30pm on Tuesday.
It is believed he spent the night at a hotel, rather than staying at a royal palace following a brief reunion with his father.
Smiling Prince Harry heads back to LA after 30 minute Charles reunion
PRINCE Harry has been pictured smiling as he heads back to LA after a whistle-stop trip to see his father.
The Duke of Sussex was pictured arriving at London Heathrow at 1.30pm today - just 25 hours after landing at 12.30pm on Tuesday.
Airport security vehicles and cop cars were on high alert as he was brought into the VIP Windsor Suite at Terminal 5 in a black Land Rover Discovery.
Harry, 39, wore a suit jacket, T-shirt and jeans as he greeted the British Airways' executive lounge's doorman in a top hat.
His security guards were seen pulling bags out of the car ahead of the Royal's anticipated 10-and-a-half-hour BA flight to Los Angeles.
It is believed Harry stayed in a hotel last night rather than a royal palace following a brief reunion with King Charles.
William's attendance at the gala tonight comes as working members of the Royal Family are said to be continuing with public engagements in the King's absence.
Kate, though, is unlikely to be seen carrying out any frontline duties until after Easter, sources say.
William and Camilla are expected to share the weight of the King's duties during his absence.
But the heir is understood to not be returning to full-time duties yet and instead "remains focused" on looking after his family.
William has no further duties scheduled beyond this evening and is expected to be with Kate and their three children for their half-term holiday next week.
A source told the Daily Mail: "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."
Meanwhile, 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 the King was carrying on with his duties.
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Asked if Mr Sunak would travel to Sandringham for his discussion with the King, the PM's 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."
