Current:Home > ScamsPrince William thanks public for 'kind messages' following King Charles III's cancer diagnosis -FundWay
Prince William thanks public for 'kind messages' following King Charles III's cancer diagnosis
View
Date:2025-04-26 04:57:32
LONDON — Prince William returned to royal duties Wednesday for the first time since his father, King Charles III, announced his cancer diagnosis and his wife, Kate, was hospitalized for abdominal surgery.
Speaking about his families' health scares in public for the first time, the 41-year-old heir to the throne thanked the public for their "kind messages of support" at a charity gala dinner. Earlier in the day, he performed an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days," William told the gala dinner for London's Air Ambulance Charity. "It means a great deal to us all."
"It's fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather medical focus, so I thought I'd come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all," he added jokingly.
The royal, who is a former air ambulance helicopter pilot, met fellow pilots and chatted with guests including Hollywood star Tom Cruise at the black-tie event.
William temporarily stepped away from public duties last month to help care for Kate and their three young children following her operation for an undisclosed condition. The Princess of Wales, formerly Kate Middleton, isn't expected to resume public duties until April.
Charles' cancer diagnosis earlier this week is putting extra pressure on the royal family, with the king suspending his public appearances to focus on treatment and recovery. While receiving treatment for an unspecified form of cancer, Charles will continue with behind-the-scenes work such as reviewing and signing state papers.
"His absence is putting a lot of pressure on the other members of the royal family, who are certainly up to it," said Sally Bedell Smith, author of "Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life." "And having one of the great stars of the royal family, the Princess of Wales, in recuperation from a surgery" magnifies those strains.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to call the king Wednesday evening to wish him well as he recovers. In-person audiences are expected to resume later this month.
Charles' illness comes at an awkward time for the House of Windsor.
The king, who ascended the throne just 17 months ago, has pledged to reduce the cost of the monarchy, in part by keeping a lid on the number of "working royals" whose public duties are supported by taxpayer funds.
But with two of the most visible family members out sick, it will be more challenging for the family to keep up.
In addition to the widely publicized pomp and ceremony of royal processions and state visits, the Windsors attend hundreds of little-known events every year to recognize the accomplishments of the general public and mark local events such as the opening of libraries and community centers. Hundreds of charities cherish royal appearances, which give visibility and credibility to their good work among potential donors.
The 75-year-old king was seen in public for the first time since his cancer diagnosis when he left his offices at Clarence House on Tuesday after a brief reunion with his younger son, Prince Harry.
Harry arrived in London from California less than 24 hours after Buckingham Palace announced the king's cancer diagnosis. The meeting has raised hopes that the pair can repair their troubled relationship after Harry publicly criticized the royal family for unconscious racism and complained about the way his American biracial wife, former actor Meghan Markle, was treated by palace officials.
Harry and Meghan, once seen as stars of the royal family who could help the Windsors connect with a younger generation, walked away from royal duties in 2020 and now live in California.
Prince William:Prince of Wales likely to step up amid King Charles III's cancer diagnosis, experts say
King Charles III's health:British monarch diagnosed with cancer following hospitalization for prostate procedure
veryGood! (219)
Related
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- New details emerge about Joe Burrow's injury, and surgeon who operated on him
- Emergency repairs close Interstate 20 westbound Wateree River bridge in South Carolina
- Derek Hough Shares Update on Wife Hayley Erbert's Health After Skull Surgery
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Joint chiefs chairman holds first call with Chinese counterpart in over a year
- Federal court revives lawsuit against Nirvana over 1991 'Nevermind' naked baby album cover
- Vin Diesel accused of sexual battery by former assistant in civil lawsuit
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- More patients are losing their doctors – and their trust in the primary care system
Ranking
- 'Most Whopper
- Temu accuses Shein of mafia-style intimidation in antitrust lawsuit
- Vin Diesel accused of sexual battery by former assistant in lawsuit
- Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos' Kids Lola and Michael Share Update on Their Post-Grad Lives
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Chinese automaker BYD plans a new EV plant in Hungary as part of its rapid global expansion
- Australia batter Khawaja gets ICC reprimand over black armband to support Palestinians in Gaza
- 2 Florida men win $1 million from same scratch-off game 4 days apart
Recommendation
Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
'In shock': Mississippi hunter bags dwarf deer with record-sized antlers
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos' Kids Lola and Michael Share Update on Their Post-Grad Lives
AP Week in Pictures: Europe and Africa
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
2023 was the year return-to-office died. Experts share remote work trends expected in 2024
TSA finds bullets artfully concealed in diaper at LaGuardia Airport in NYC
Connecticut police dog killed in shooting after state troopers tried to serve an arrest warrant