CHOP & CHANGE
Prince William makes huge staffing change amid dad’s cancer diagnosis as he prepares to ‘step up’ & take on more duties
It comes as Queen Camilla shared a health update on her husband's condition at a public appearance last night
PRINCE William is set to shake up staffing arrangements amid King Charles' cancer diagnosis, sources claim.
The Prince of Wales will be welcoming a new private secretary to Kensington Palace as his father undergoes treatment.
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The fresh staff member is a former diplomat who was made an MBE for work on international peacekeeping in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the reports.
Ian Patrick is a respected geopolitical consultant, having worked for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before his latest royal employment.
He is also a trustee of the Chrons and Colitis UK charity and his new position at the Palace was decided before His Majesty's diagnosis.
It comes after years of Prince William travelling across the globe on diplomatic visits on behalf of the King.
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This shake up means the Waleses now have their own private secretaries.
It comes as William steps up to the plate to help His Majesty amid his shock health announcement on Monday.
On Wednesday, despite the turbulent time for his family as Princess Kate recuperates from her abdominal surgery, the prince gave a speech at a charity fundraising gala.
William, who served as a rescue pilot saving lives for seven years, attended the event for the London Air Ambulance Charity.
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The Prince told guests at London's Raffles Hotel: "Thank you for being here. And thank you to all those whose hard work has made this evening possible.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days. It means a great deal to us all.
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Then in a light-hearted joke amid a stressful past three weeks, he added: "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 continued: "But, seriously, we gather tonight to help as many people as possible benefit from top class care in the silhouette of London Air Ambulance’s flying lifelines.
"As a former pilot for East Anglia Air Ambulance, I know just how vital the work of air ambulance teams across the country is, and the truly life-saving difference it can make to deliver urgent medical care wherever injury strikes can make.
He’s doing extremely well under the circumstances. He is very touched by all of the letters and messages the public have been sending from everywhere."
Queen Camilla
"Here in London, the current aircraft have served magnificently. But our capital city needs a new fleet. And we are Up Against Time.
"The clue really is in the Appeal's name. By September, we need the two new red birds - decked with the latest kit such as night vision - in our skies."
William added: "I should also take this opportunity to give a mention to my - our - fellow pilot, Tom Cruise.
"Tom, huge thanks for supporting us tonight. And if you wouldn't mind not borrowing either of the new helicopters for the next Mission Impossible, it would be appreciated.
"We have all seen on our screens that - how can I put it - you seem to have a different take on 'normal wear and tear' to the rest of us.
"It's not the kind that buffs out, that's for sure. Anyway, my thanks to everyone. You are all, each and everyone, lifesavers."
As he arrived earlier, William told well-wishers: "We really appreciate everyone’s kindness. Thank you."
FAMILY UNITED
It came hours after he returned to public engagements for the first time since Kate's surgery, and held an investiture at Windsor Castle.
William was seen smiling and joking as he handed out gongs at the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Princess Kate is not expected to return to royal duties until Easter following her abdominal surgery and two week stay at The London Clinic.
Queen Camilla has also put on a brave face amid the troubling time for her family.
She was seen with Charles on Tuesday for the first time since his cancer shock - taking a helicopter to Sandringham after meeting Prince Harry.
The King was spotted smiling as they were driven from their London home Clarence House to the palace.
Queen Camilla was also pictured at the opening of a new cancer treatment centre days before Charles' diagnosis was made public.
DOING WELL
Despite knowing of her husband's condition she continued with royal duties and smiled as she greeted visitors.
Last night, she spoke out for the first time sharing an update on His Majesty's health at a charity event in Salisbury Cathedral.
She gave an update, speaking to Ben Abbott, 40, Critical care paramedic with Wiltshire Air Ambulance, and said: "He’s doing extremely well under the circumstances.
“He is very touched by all of the letters and messages the public have been sending from everywhere.
"That’s very cheering.”
Paul Martin, who presents BBC’s Flog It!, hosted the musical evening held to celebrate the work of local charities including The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, The Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Community First – Youth Action Wiltshire and the regimental charities of The Grenadier Guards and The Rifles.
Princess Anne has also stepped up and continues to help hold the family together.
The royal made a public appearance on Monday, at the dedication of a new St John Ambulance Community unit in Devizes, Wilts.
The support unit was purchased following a successful fundraising campaign that raised £65,000 in donations.
PLAN OF ACTION
It comes after King Charles, 75, was admitted to The London Clinic on January 26 for corrective prostate surgery.
His majesty was due to stay in hospital for two nights - but his stint was extended by 24 hours.
In a shock announcement on Monday, a Buckingham Palace spokesman stated: "Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer."
It remains unclear when the King will resume full-time public appearances but has postponed front line duties on doctor's advice.
The Monarch is undergoing a schedule of regular treatments and "remains wholly positive".
King Charles will continue with his red boxes, weekly audiences with the Prime Minister, and monthly Privy Council meetings, but they may have to be scaled back on the advice of doctors.
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
His Majesty carried out a staggering 516 engagements last year, including 94 trips abroad.
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, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of York and Princess Beatrice.
However, the House of Lords heard only "working members" of the royal family would be called upon to act as Counsellors of State.
In 2022, the King asked Parliament to add his youngest brother, the Duke of Edinburgh, and sister the Princess Royal as extra Counsellors of State.
This means they too can deputise for him if need be, and the addition was fast-tracked into law.
The current line of succession to the throne is as follows
- 1. William, Prince of Wales
- 2. Prince George of Wales (son of William)
- 3. Princess Charlotte of Wales (daughter of William)
- 4. Prince Louis of Wales (son of William)
- 5. Harry, Duke of Sussex
- 6. Prince Archie of Sussex (son of Harry)
- 7. Princess Lilibet of Sussex (daughter of Harry)
- 8. Andrew, Duke of York
- 9. Princess Beatrice (daughter of Andrew)
- 10. Sienna Mapelli Mozzi (daughter of Princess Beatrice)
The monarch and Queen Camilla were expected to visit Canada in May, and Australia, New Zealand and Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October.
However there is now speculation Prince William may have to step in for the King, who is head of the Commonwealth, at CHOGM.
Other trips could be postponed depending on how the King's health progresses.
William could also be seen playing a key role at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey at the start of March and the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June.
Meanwhile, brother Harry flew back to his Montecito mansion in California after making a transatlantic dash on Tuesday.
It is understood King Charles phoned his estranged son personally to share his diagnosis and the duke, 39, got on the first flight available to Heathrow.
Harry's black SUV was spotted arriving at Clarence House, the King's residence, at around 2.45pm on Tuesday.
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Charles delayed a helicopter ride in order to meet with his youngest son, who he had not seen for 16 months.
Their meeting lasted around 30 minutes and Harry was snapped at Heathrow Airport to return home after his whistle-stop 25 hour trip.
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