Prince Harry has been at odds with his family since quitting royal life. (File)
London:
King Charles III’s estranged son Prince Harry reportedly arrived in London on Tuesday after his father was diagnosed with cancer, which doctors “caught early”.
Prince Harry, who currently lives in California with his actress wife Meghan Markle and their children, has been at odds with his family since quitting royal life and making a series of harsh criticisms in his best-selling autobiography, Spare.
The Telegraph and The Sun reported that Prince Harry arrived at Heathrow Airport on an overnight flight from Los Angeles.
Less than 24 hours after Buckingham Palace announced Charles’ cancer diagnosis, his car was reportedly seen leaving the airport accompanied by two police cars.
Royal watchers say Prince Charles’ poor health could be a catalyst for improved relations between father and son, but healing the rift with his younger brother Prince William, heir to the throne, will be even more difficult.
Buckingham Palace has not disclosed the type of cancer the 75-year-old monarch has, who will step back from public royal duties to complete treatment.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the cancer was “caught early”.
Prince Charles waited decades to start the job he was born to do after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, aged 96, on September 8, 2022, but his reign has yet to begin. It’s been 17 months.
The public expressed shock and sympathy at this news.
Sue Hazell, a retiree from the northern English city of Doncaster, who visited Buckingham Palace, said: “We feel very at peace because the King has really gone all out.”
“It’s not a good feeling to hear that someone has been diagnosed with cancer,” added Sarah Fillisen, 55, a software salesperson.
“I feel a little bad for him. He’s been waiting to be king for years.”
The diagnosis will prolong the shortage of front-line royal staff created by Prince Charles being hospitalized last month for benign prostate surgery and Duchess Kate being hospitalized at about the same time.
Due to health issues within the royal family, Queen Camilla, 76, remains the most senior member of the royal family, with support from Prince Charles’ sister Princess Anne, 73.
“Completely positive”
“Thankfully the disease was caught early and everyone can now hope that he gets the treatment he needs and makes a full recovery,” Sunak told the BBC.
“I think that’s what we’re all hoping and praying for, and of course I’m in regular contact with him and we’ll continue to communicate as normal,” he said.
Charles is generally in good health, aside from injuries from playing polo and skiing.
However, the palace said that “other concerns were raised” during a recent hospitalization for treatment for an enlarged prostate, and subsequent diagnostic tests identified “a type of cancer.”
“Many families across the country listening to this will be touched by the same thing and they know what it means to everyone,” Sunak said.
“So we’re happy for him to participate and hope we can get through this situation as soon as possible.”
Doctors have advised Prince Charles to postpone any engagement, but the palace said he will continue to “carry out his national and official duties as normal”.
It added that the king “remains completely positive” and “looks forward to returning to full official duties as soon as possible.”
Shocking announcement
Charles won praise last month for speaking openly about his prostate condition, and doctors said more people had since complained of symptoms.
He was discharged from a London hospital on January 29th after a three-night stay for corrective surgery.
The palace added that the king had chosen to make his cancer diagnosis public “to prevent speculation and in the hope that it will help the public understand people around the world who suffer from cancer.”
Messages poured in wishing Charles a speedy recovery.
US President Joe Biden said he was “concerned” about Charles, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he and the nation were “thinking” about him.
“All Australians wish King Charles a speedy recovery,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters.
French President Emmanuel Macron also wished Charles a “speedy recovery” and added: “Our thoughts are with the British people.”
The diagnosis comes as a blow to the royal family, which has not been widely publicized in recent weeks.
Duchess Kate, 42, the wife of Charles’ son and heir to the throne, Prince William, underwent abdominal surgery at the same hospital where Charles was treated.
She left on the same day as Charles last Monday, after a nearly two-week stay, and could not be able to return to official duties until late March.
Prince William, 41, also took a temporary break from his planned engagement to help care for his three children, but is expected to return to royal duties this week.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)