Charles seen for first time since cancer shock & takes helicopter to Sandringham after meeting Harry
The King was seen smiling in photos as he and Camilla left Clarence House
KING Charles has been seen for the first time since his cancer shock – taking a helicopter to Sandringham after meeting Prince Harry.
Charles has just arrived at Sandringham after taking a helicopter flight with Queen Camilla from Buckingham Palace.
Earlier this afternoon, he was seen smiling as they were driven from their London home Clarence House to the palace.
Harry and Charles reunited at Clarence House this afternoon after the prince made a transatlantic dash following Charles’s cancer diagnosis.
The meeting was Harry and Charles’s first face-to-face encounter for 16 months.
A palace source told the Telegraph: “Charles is on his usual good form in every way.
“He’s just a little frustrated that his condition has affected not just his own plans but impacted on others.”
Harry landed at Heathrow this lunchtime after flood warnings and stormy weather in California reportedly delayed his travels.
Charles personally told Harry about his cancer diagnosis in what is understood to have been a warm conversation over the phone.
A convoy of two black SUVs took the prince from the airport’s VIP Windsor Suite to the royal residence.
Harry is not believed to have met his father face to face since the late Queen’s funeral in September 2022.
The prince did not see his family after the Coronation on May 6, despite going to Buckingham Palace.
And he and Charles did not see each other on Harry’s last visit to the UK on the anniversary of the Queen’s death last September.
Charles was in Balmoral at the time, and a reported diary clash stopped them meeting.
It is not yet known where Harry will stay while visiting Charles in the UK.
Last year Charles ordered Harry and Meghan to vacate Frogmore Cottage, their home in Windsor.
The Sussexes now reportedly need a “formal invitation” to be able to stay with the royals on “protected property”.
When Harry returned to the UK for a charity event on the anniversary of the Queen’s death last September, his request to stay on the royal estate was refused.
Harry instead stayed in a hotel on his trip to present the annual WellChild awards in London.
He had reportedly asked to stay at Windsor Castle, letting him visit the Queen’s tomb at St George’s Chapel.
Royal sources told the Telegraph that Harry could be put up on the crown estate when possible – but the palace must be given enough warning before a visit.
Charles is reportedly keen for Prince Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage after Harry and Meghan handed over the keys.
Andrew, who no longer has official duties, shares the sprawling 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor with just his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
King Charles is said to be keen for Andrew, who was given Royal Lodge on a long-term lease by the Queen Mother, to leave the £30million home as part of plans to scale down the monarchy.
But Andrew has forked out £7million of his own money for roof repairs – and is allegedly refusing to move out for them.
What we know so far:
- The King has been diagnosed with a form of cancer
- Prince Harry rushed to the airport in LA to fly home to support his father
- Meghan will remain in California with their children
- The King personally called his siblings and children to tell them of his diagnosis
- Charles is receiving expert care from specialist doctors
- His Majesty returned from Sandringham to London to begin treatment
- Doctors advised the King to postpone public-facing Royal duties
- Camilla and William will step up to share the weight of the King’s duties during his treatment
- Charles will continue to receive Red Boxes and State documents
- Charles and Camilla shared a cancer message just a day before announcing his diagnosis
The duke reportedly suspects that if he moves to Frogmore while Royal Lodge undergoes repairs, he may never return.
Andrew’s daughter Princess Eugenie currently lives in Frogmore Cottage with her husband and children.
Inside Charles' 18-month reign before cancer shock
September 8 2022 – The world was left in mourning after Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022.
September 19 2022 – The stoic King led his family, marching behind the Queen’s coffin from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey, at her funeral.
January 2023 – The Monarch deals with the fall out following Prince Harry’s bombshell memoir Spare – in which the Duke blasted the Royal Family.
April 2023 – Harry has a “heart-to-heart” talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London
May 6 2023 – Charles is crowned King at his Coronation at Westminster Abbey.
September 2023 – Harry rejects an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queen’s death at Balmoral with his father.
November 2023 – The King celebrates his 75th birthday with a gathering of close family and friends at Clarence House.
January 17 2024 – Buckingham Palace announces His Majesty will be undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Just hours previous it was also revealed Princess Kate had been admitted to hospital for a pre-planned abdominal surgery.
January 26 2024 – The King is admitted to The London Clinic – where Princess Kate was also staying.
January 29 2024 – Charles waves as he leaves the hospital following a three day stay and being given the all clear.
It is understood the Monarch will take a month to recover after the surgery as Queen Camilla stands in during public appearances.
February 5 2024 – Buckingham Palace announces a form of cancer was diagnosed during the King’s prostate op.
The statement confirms Charles has begun a schedule of regular treatments and “remains wholly positive”.
He will also be postponing front line duties on doctor’s advice but continue with his red boxes, weekly audiences with the Prime Minister, and monthly Privy Council meetings.
February 6 2024 – Prince Harry flies to the UK to be with his father as royal experts claim their four-year rift could be put aside.
The Duke of Sussex, who was informed of the news personally by the Monarch, was seen arriving into a private terminal at LAX in his black Range Rover.
KING’S HEALTH BATTLE
Charles informed Harry of his diagnosis by phone, in what is understood to have been a warm conversation, before Buckingham Palace issued its announcement at 6pm on Monday.
It remains unclear when the King, 75, will be able to resume full-time public appearances.
The Monarch yesterday began a schedule of regular treatments and postponed front line duties on doctor’s advice.
His Majesty carried out a staggering 516 engagements last year, including 94 trips abroad.
However, King Charles will continue with his weekly audiences with the Prime Minister, but they may have to be scaled back on the advice of doctors.
In the meantime, other Royals, including the Queen, will continue with a full programme of public duties.
They are also likely to undertake additional duties on behalf of the King whilst he is out of action.
Yesterday’s announcement came just eight days after His Majesty was released from hospital following a “corrective procedure” for an enlarged prostate.
But a “separate issue of concern was noted” during his stay – and tests went on to find cancer.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman stated: “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.
“Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.
“The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure.
“He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
“His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.”
How Charles bravely revealed diagnosis to help others
KING Charles has bravely broken with royal protocol by sharing his cancer diagnosis.
Senior royals have in past been tight-lipped about their health battles.
The last top royal diagnosed with cancer was Charles’s grandfather George VI.
Heavy smoker George had his left lung removed for “structural abnormalities” in September 1951, months before he died.
The “abnormalities” were actually a life-threatening carcinoma, but the public never learned about George’s cancer ordeal.
Buckingham Palace said Charles wanted to share his cancer diagnosis to boost “public understanding” for cancer patients worldwide.
