ON HIS WAY HOME
Prince Harry to arrive in UK TODAY after rushing to LA airport as he puts King Charles rift aside over cancer diagnosis
Questions are swirling over where Harry will stay
PRINCE Harry will arrive in the UK this afternoon after catching an urgent flight to be with King Charles following the monarch's cancer diagnosis.
The Duke of Sussex, who was informed of the news personally by his father, was seen arriving into a private terminal at LAX in his black Range Rover earlier this morning.
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He is due to land in the UK around midday today to be with King Charles, 75, as soon as possible.
Meghan, 42, is set to stay behind at their Montecito mansion with children Archie, 4 and two-year-old Lilibet.
It is understood flood warnings and stormy weather in California had previously delayed the Duke in his travels.
It is not known where Harry will stay when here after he was evicted from Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate last year
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Charles informed Harry of his diagnosis by phone, in what are understood to have been warm conversations, before Buckingham Palace issued its announcement at 6pm on Monday.
Royal experts claim the news may finally see Harry put his four-year rift aside as the Royal Family pull together in this difficult time.
It comes as the duke was due to visit Canada next week ahead of the Invictus Games and take part in several public engagements across Vancouver with Meghan.
He has now flown to London to be with his father.
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Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mozzi have also been spotted leaving Clarence House in central London.
The King's niece drove a Range Rover into the royal residence today.
Meanwhile William is set to return to public engagements on Wednesday after cancelling his diary to care for Kate and their children when she underwent abdominal surgery last month.
The Sun's Royal Photographer Arthur Edwards is keeping positive about King Charles' cancer diagnosis
The Princess of Wales is unlikely to be seen carrying out any frontline duties until after Easter in April, sources say.
What we know so far:
- The King has been diagnosed with a form of cancer
- Prince Harry is flying to the UK to support his father
- Meghan will remain in California with their children
- The King personally called his siblings and children to tell them
- He 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 is preparing to play an important role supporting the King
- Charles will continue to receive Red Boxes and State documents during his treatment
- The King will continue to meet the Prime Minister for a weekly audience
However, 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
The prince is set to carry out an investiture at Windsor Castle on Wednesday - one of his own regular duties - and attend the London Air Ambulance annual fundraising evening gala in central London in his role as patron of the charity.
His return to royal duties will be seen as an attempt to signal stability within the monarchy after he took a step back while Princess Kate was in hospital for a planned abdominal surgery.
Yesterday's announcement came just eight days after His Majesty was released from hospital following a "corrective procedure" for an enlarged prostate.
During his stay a "separate issue of concern was noted" 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."
Floods of support and well-wishes have poured in following the health update.
Reacting to the announcement, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was left "shocked and sad".
The PM said he is thankful the illness was "caught early", and hopes the monarch makes a speedy recovery.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "All our thoughts are with him and his family."
He added everyone will be wishing the King "gets the treatment that he needs and makes a full recovery".
The PM said: "That's what we're all hoping and praying for, and I'm of course in regular contact with him and will continue to communicate with him as normal.
"I have no doubt he’ll be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will be wishing him well."
Tourists and locals outside Buckingham Palace on Tuesday morning shared their sadness.
Lisa Nash, 61, told PA: "My thoughts are with him and to go through something like cancer but in the public eye is pretty something, so I'm pleased that he's given people snippets of information but I'm quite glad that he's going to keep the rest of it private.
"I think for his own peace of mind, he needs to be doing that, it's enough of a struggle as it is but I wish him well and I'm sure he'll pull through and things will be fine."
Ms Nash added: "I love the royal family. I think they do a lot for this country and they will continue to do so, they'll just pull together and hopefully take some of the burden off of him and he can concentrate on getting better."
Martin Harris, 43, from Northampton, said: "Obviously it's a shame for the family more than anything. You think of the family like you would do your own family, yes it's a shame for us but it is for them more than us really."
He added: "Also it's good that they've found it early."
Justin Haden, 52, from Canada, said the news was "sad" and he hoped the King would "make a recovery".
Reacting to the announcement, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was left "shocked and sad".
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "All our thoughts are with him and his family."
He added everyone will be wishing the King "gets the treatment that he needs and makes a full recovery".
The PM said: "That's what we're all hoping and praying for, and I'm of course in regular contact with him and will continue to communicate with him as normal.
"I have no doubt he’ll be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will be wishing him well."
King Charles, who became a patron of Macmillan Cancer Support in 1997, previously spoke about those living with a cancer diagnosis.
In a speech at the launch of Macmillan Cancer Support’s new campaign, named A Voice for Life, in June 1999, he said: "People tell me that being diagnosed with a cancer is like suddenly finding yourself in an unknown land, with no map, no compass, no sign posts and no knowledge of the language.
"The treatments are complex. Many different health professionals are involved – people can see as many as 50 different doctors. They need help to find their way in this no doubt alien and intimidating world."
The news of the King's cancer diagnosis sparked shockwaves across the country.
Prince Harry's tense visits to Britain since Megxit
Relations between Charles and Harry were previously feared by some to be fractured beyond repair amid the fallout over their royal row.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun in December: “Charles and Harry’s relationship was at an all-time low before but this may have fractured it beyond all repair.
“It could spell the end game for them.”
Hopes of a reconciliation had been raised after Harry called Charles to wish him a happy 75th birthday last month and sent a video of the King’s US-based grandkids Archie, now four, and Lilibet, two.
And now, Harry will jet to the UK to be with his dad following the King's shock cancer diagnosis.
Here's a look inside their fractured relationship since Megxit.
January 2020 - Harry and Meghan make their 'Megxit' flight, leaving for Canada, eventually setting up home in California, USA.
March 2021 - Harry and Meghan give their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey where Harry accused his dad of cutting him off financially.
July 2021 Harry jets back to UK to join William in unveiling a statue to their mother Princess Diana in the grounds of Kensington Palace.
But sources claimed William didn’t want to attend the memorial amid their ongoing rift.
Pals said at the time: “William was still furious. He had taken the view that he’d only give so much. He just didn’t want to go there [with Harry].”
September 2022 - Harry jets to the UK for Prince Philip's funeral. Meghan Markle, who was heavily pregnant at the time, was unable to attend due to doctor's orders not to fly.
A pal of Harry's tells Omid Scobie Harry met the Queen privately ‘at least twice’ and spoke with Charles and William after the Westminster Abbey service.
Kate acts as a "peacemaker" between William and Harry as they share a private chat.
September 2022 - The duke claimed he found out Queen Elizabeth had died in an online news alert.
He jetted to Balmoral without Meghan, and claimed in Spare that she was told she should not attend by Charles.
Harry travelled on a separate flight to his brother William - who travelled with the rest of the family.
The duke wrote in his memoir: "When the plane started to descend I saw that my phone lit up. It was a message from Meg: 'Call me when you get this.' I looked at the BBC website. My grandmother had died. My father was King."
Harry and Meghan were sat behind Charles at the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.
March 2023 - Harry is told King Charles is "too busy" to see him while he's in the UK for a privacy hearing, according to reports.
The Duke had jetted to the UK to attend a four-day preliminary hearing at the High Court in London regarding his battle with publisher Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over allegations of unlawful information gathering.
It was the first time the Prince was back on home soil since the Queen's funeral.
Harry flew back to the US once the hearing was over.
April 2023 - Harry has a "heart-to-heart" talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London
The Duke travelled alone to attend the ceremony on May 6.
Harry headed straight back to the US following the coronation in Westminster Abbey.
He did not appear to speak to his brother William or sister-in-law Kate Middleton at the ceremony - taking a backseat and sitting in the third row at the ceremony.
September 2023 - Harry rejects an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queen’s death at Balmoral with his father.
Experts were stunned that he turned down the olive branch, seen as a sign that the King was ready to forgive his son’s repeated attacks on the Royal Family.
The Duke of Sussex, who was prepared to fly more than 5,000 miles from the US, snubbed the relatively short trip to Balmoral.
It coincided with the late Queen's Accession Day, marking the moment she took the throne following the death of her father, King George VI.
And it comes after a series of health scares to hit the Royal Family since the New Year.
First, Kate was admitted to hospital on January 16 for planned abdominal surgery.
The dramatic news was followed an hour later by an announcement that the King required an op for "an enlarged prostate".
Charles was admitted to the same hospital as Kate on January 26 for surgery.
Inside King's tumultuous 18-month reign
Inside Charles' tumultuous 18 months from the Queen’s death to his cancer diagnosis and prostate op as King suffers ‘huge shock in short reign’
September 8 2022 - The world was left in mourning after Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle.
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 was understood the Monarch would 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.
In another blow for the Royals, Fergie revealed she had received a second cancer diagnosis in six months.
The Duchess of York, 64, had a mole removed last year which has now been revealed to be a malignant melanoma -- the most serious skin cancer.
The health scare came after she was treated for breast cancer last year.
During reconstructive surgery, dermatologists removed several moles and raised the alarm.
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Tests after Christmas revealed one was malignant.
Fergie will now have more tests to discover if the cancer has spread but it is hoped that the mole was found early enough.
Possible reconciliation
King Charles has had a strained relationship with his younger son in the wake of 'Megxit' but sources now say there is a “willingness and wanting to mend on both sides”
January 2020 - Harry and Meghan make their 'Megxit' flight, leaving for Canada, eventually setting up home in California, USA.
March 2021 - Harry and Meghan give their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey where Harry accused his dad of cutting him off financially.
April 2023 - Harry has a "heart-to-heart" talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London
May 2023 - The Duke travelled alone to attend the ceremony on May 6.
November 2023 - Hopes of a reconciliation raised after Harry called Charles to wish him a happy 75th birthday and sent a video of the King’s US-based grandkids.
February 2024 - Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams exclusively told The Sun: "The rift in the family is one thing, but there surely will be a good deal of solidarity among the royals because of what's happened and this includes Harry.
"I'm sure Harry will put aside the past right now for this serious issue. The Royal family - including the Sussexes - it's so important that everyone is pulling in the right direction."
"For families everywhere cancer is so shocking and as much as humanly possible they need to pull together - and that includes Harry and Meghan despite everything that has happened.
"There will be concern from Prince Harry coming over, as he is his father, I sincerely hope it will be the moment that brings them together, families have known the struggle of cancer and this is clearly a circumstance no one foresaw.
"It is a deeply emotional time for the royal family and Harry is included in that, reconciliation could be hopeful with Sussexes but right now its about Charles and his treatment plan."
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