Sombre Prince Harry pictured back in UK after King Charles' cancer diagnosis
Prince Harry has been pictured back in the UK for the first time after he rushing back to his homeland following King Charles' cancer diagnosis.
The monarch's youngest son flew from California, where he now lives with wife Meghan Markle and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, following news of his father's health issues. The King called Harry personally to tell him the news. Charles has already begun treatment for the cancer, which was discovered during an operation for an enlarged prostate last month. He has not confirmed which type of cancer he has, but sources has confirmed it's not prostate cancer.
Harry, landed back at Heathrow on Tuesday lunchtime after an 11-hour British Airways flight and his convoy of cars was seen driving away from the airport. He was later pictured arriving at Clarence House, where the King is in residence looking sombre and wearing a black T-shirt and blazer. It's believed that Harry made the journey on his own, leaving Meghan behind with their children.
Harry jetted in from his home in California (Daily Mirror/Ian Vogler)News of Harry's imminent return to the UK emerged last night when the news broke that his father was receiving treatment for a form of cancer. Charles personally told both of his sons Prince William and Harry about his diagnosis. A source close to Harry said: "The duke did speak with his father about his diagnosis. He will be travelling to UK to see His Majesty in the coming days."
Harry's decision to return to the UK so soon after his father's diagnosis was made public has raised been hopes it will help to mend his troubled relationship with his dad. Harry and Charles are believed to be still in contact and are known to have chatted on the phone in November when the King celebrated his 75th birthday.
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Their bond is believed to have turned particularly frosty after Harry and Meghan quit as working members of the Royal Family in 2020 and left the UK for California. In the Sussexes' infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, the pair accused an unnamed royal of making a racist comment about the skin colour of their son Prince Archie before he was born. He also claimed his dad had stopped taking his calls after he left his royal role and said: "My father and my brother, they are trapped. They don't get to leave. And I have huge compassion for that."
King Charles with his two sons William and HarryMore allegations also emerged in Harry and Meghan's controversial Netflix docuseries as well as Harry's controversial memoir Spare. In the book, Harry alleged his brother William physically attacked him and that the King put his own interests above his youngest son. He also said Charles did not hug him when he told him his mother Diana, Princess of Wales had died, and that he believed the King was "never made" for single parenthood.
Harry was last seen alongside the royal family at the King's coronation in May, but the trip was a whirlwind one with the duke leaving immediately after to return to the US on what was his son Archie's fourth birthday.
The King's health battle means that a number of his forthcoming public engagements have either been postponed or rearranged as treatment for his condition has commenced immediately. It is hoped the King will continue with some of his duties, but how much he can do will depend on the progress of his treatment and the orders of his doctors.
If a monarch cannot undertake their duties as sovereign on a temporary basis due to illness, two or more Counsellors of State can be appointed by Letters Patent to act in their place. Provisions for Counsellors of State are made under the Regency Acts 1937 to 1953 and those who can currently stand in for Charles include Queen Camilla and the four most senior adults in the line of succession over the age of 21 - William, Harry, Andrew and Princess Beatrice. In 2022, the King asked Parliament to add his youngest brother Prince Edward and sister Princess Anne as extra Counsellors of State so they can deputise for him if need be, and the addition was fast-tracked into law.
The legislation did add Anne and Edward to the list but stopped short of removing Harry or his uncle Prince Andrew, who also no longer carries out public duties. However, the House of Lords later heard only "working members" of the royal family would be called upon to act as Counsellors of State - so this means Harry and Andrew would not be asked to step up.
Other members of the royal family are expected to continue with a full programme of public engagements and may undertake some additional duties on behalf of the King if they are required to do so.
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