Prince Harry has been at loggerheads with his family since retiring from royal life. (document)
London:
Prince Harry, the estranged son of King Charles III, reportedly arrived in London on Tuesday after his father was diagnosed with cancer, which was detected “very early” by doctors.
Harry, who now lives in California with his actress wife Meghan and their children, has been at loggerheads with his family since stepping back from royal life and unleashing a barrage of vindictive criticism in his best-selling autobiography, Backup.
According to the Daily Telegraph and The Sun, Harry arrived at Heathrow Airport on an overnight flight from Los Angeles.
Less than 24 hours after Buckingham Palace revealed Charles’ cancer diagnosis, his car was reportedly seen driving out of the airport accompanied by two police cars.
Royal watchers say that while Charles’s failing health may be the catalyst for a reconciliation between father and son, it will be more difficult to heal the rift with his brother, Prince William, the heir to the throne.
Buckingham Palace has not yet specified the type of cancer the 75-year-old monarch has, and he will now step back from public-facing royal duties to complete treatment.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the cancer had been “detected early”.
Charles has only been on the throne for 17 months, and after the death of his 96-year-old mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022, Charles waited decades to begin the job he was born to do.
As the news spread, people expressed shock and sympathy.
Sue Hartzell, a retiree from the northern English city of Doncaster, said during a visit to Buckingham Palace: “We feel very flat because the king has really started to move.”
“It upsets me to hear that someone has been diagnosed with cancer,” added Sarah Firisen, 55, a software salesperson.
“I feel a little sad for him. He’s been waiting all these years to be king.”
The diagnosis will extend a frontline royal shortage caused by Charles’s hospitalization last month for benign prostate surgery and the near-simultaneous hospitalization of Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Health concerns among the royal family have made Queen Camilla, 76, the most high-profile royal, with support from Charles’ sister Princess Anne, 73.
“Totally positive”
Sunak told the BBC: “Thankfully the condition was caught early and everyone now hopes he gets the treatment he needs and makes a full recovery.”
“I think that’s what we all hope and pray for, and of course I’m in regular contact with him and will continue to communicate with him as I always have,” he said.
Charles is in generally good health, save for polo and skiing injuries.
But Buckingham Palace said a “separate issue was noted” during his recent hospital operation to treat an enlarged prostate, and subsequent diagnostic tests discovered “a type of cancer”.
Sunak said: “Many families across the country hearing this news will be touched by the same thing and know how much it means to everyone.”
“So we would be willing to let him continue and hopefully we can get through this quickly.”
Buckingham Palace said doctors had advised Charles to postpone any engagements but that he would continue to “conduct state affairs and official paperwork as usual”.
The statement added that the king “remains fully positive” and “looks forward to returning to full public duties as soon as possible”.
Shocking announcement
Charles won praise last month for going public with his prostate condition, and doctors said more members of the public subsequently developed symptoms.
He was discharged from a London hospital on January 29, three days after undergoing corrective surgery.
Buckingham Palace added that the king had chosen to share his cancer diagnosis “to prevent speculation and in the hope that it will help the public understand all those affected by cancer around the world”.
Messages wishing Charles a speedy recovery have been pouring in.
US President Joe Biden said he “cares” about Charles, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he and the country were “thinking” of him.
“All Australians would like to send King Charles our best wishes for a speedy recovery,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters.
French President Emmanuel Macron also wished Charles a “speedy recovery,” adding on X, “Our hearts go out to the British people.”
The diagnosis is a blow to the royal family, whose membership has been shrinking in recent weeks.
Catherine, 42, who is married to Charles’ son and heir to the throne Prince William, underwent abdominal surgery at the same hospital where Charles was treated.
She left last Monday on the same day as Charles after staying for about two weeks and may not return to public duties until the end of March.
William, 41, has also temporarily withdrawn from planned engagements to help care for their three children, although he 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.)
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