King Charles seen for first time since cancer announcement after Prince Harry meeting

King Charles will be taking a step back from public-facing duties, ITV News reports


King Charles has travelled to Sandringham in Norfolk with Queen Camilla, having met his youngest son, the Duke of Sussex, at Clarence House in London.

Prince Harry travelled to the royal residence to meet his father in the wake of his shock cancer diagnosis on Tuesday.

The Duke of Sussex had arrived at Clarence House earlier in the afternoon, having flown over from the United States.

Charles, 75, and the Queen were later seen for the first time since the King's cancer diagnosis was made public, as they were driven from Clarence House to Buckingham Palace. A helicopter was pictured a short while later taking off from the palace.

Prince Harry travelling to see his father. Credit: LNP

A source has confirmed to ITV News that Prince William and Prince Harry have "no plans" to meet.

Two black SUVs, which were seen leaving Heathrow Airport’s VIP Windsor Suite earlier on Tuesday, were pictured arriving at the royal residence at around 2.42pm.

Buckingham Palace said the King personally called both Prince Harry and the Prince of Wales - as well as his siblings the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Duke of Edinburgh - to share the news of his health.

The King's niece Princess Beatrice was also seen driving into the back entrance of his royal residence, Clarence House, in London, on Tuesday morning.


King Charles and Queen Camilla were seen being driven down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace on Tuesday afternoon


Little is known about the type of cancer the King has, but the palace said it was discovered when he was being treated for a benign enlarged prostate at London Clinic. ITV News understands it is not prostate cancer.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says Charles' cancer was "caught early," after the Monarch shared his diagnosis yesterday.

Mr Sunak said he was "shocked and saddened" at the news, when speaking on BBC Radio 5 on Tuesday morning.

"I'm of course in regular contact with the king that will continue as normal," he added.


It is not uncommon for other illnesses to be detected during enlarged prostate surgery, an oncologist told ITV News Health Correspondent Rebecca Barry


Mr Sunak said, he and the King would "crack on" with everything despite Buckingham Palace saying Charles will be taking a step back from public-facing duties.

When questioned on what information the prime minister's comment the cancer was “caught early” was based on, Number 10 suggested he was referring to the fact Buckingham Palace had noted the swift intervention of his medical team.

Mr Sunak's official spokesman added: "The PM's obviously said that contact will continue but we don't get into a running commentary on those meetings."

The prime minister normally meets him in private every Wednesday at Buckingham Palace.

Mr Sunak did not confirm whether he had spoken to the King personally or whether they would continue to meet face to face.

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Monday, a spokesperson said the King feels "wholly positive" about his treatment and will "continue to undertake state business and official paperwork as usual".

The monarch has already started a schedule of regular treatments and is said to be receiving expert medical care from a specialist team.

"During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.

"His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties." the Buckingham Palace statement, said.

No date has yet been set for the King’s return to full public duties.

The King previously received treatment for an enlarged prostate at London Clinic on Friday, January 26 and was discharged last Monday after three nights.

Charles was diagnosed with the benign condition on January 17 while staying at Birkhall, Aberdeenshire, after going for a check-up because he was experiencing symptoms.

The King attended a church service for the first time since his treatment in hospital on Sunday at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham alongside Camilla.

Last week, the Queen said her husband was “doing his best” following his release from hospital as she opened a cancer support centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

Charles and Camilla on Sunday at church. Credit: PA

Heir to the throne the Prince of Wales is set to step up to carry out some duties on behalf of his father the King while Charles undergoes treatment for cancer.

The confirmation of William’s return will be seen as an attempt to signal stability within the monarchy despite the difficult times facing the royals.

Earlier on Monday, it was announced the Prince of Wales would carry out his first public engagements since the Princess of Wales underwent major abdominal surgery in January, also at the London Clinic.

William had taken time off to support his family as Kate recovered first in hospital then returned home to Windsor to convalesce.

The Prince of Wales will host an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday and that evening will attend the London Air Ambulance annual fundraising gala in central London, said Kensington Palace.


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