Prince Harry has broken his silence on King Charles's cancer diagnosis days after he flew back to the UK to reunite with his father.
The Duke of Sussex has spoken out for the first time about his father’s diagnosis and shared that he heard the news personally from King Charles before returning to the UK a week ago. Getting candid with Good Morning America during his and Meghan’s visit to Canada for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler’s One Year To Go event, Prince Harry expressed gratitude for being able to spend time with his father. He also shared his "love" for his family and that he’d taken the decision to see His Majesty as soon as possible after speaking to him.
"I spoke to him. I jumped on a plane and went to go see him as soon as I could," Harry told ABC correspondent Will Reeve on 16th February. "I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that."
EXCLUSIVE: Prince Harry to @ReeveWill on visiting King Charles after cancer diagnosis: “I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go see and spend anytime with him, I’m grateful for that.” https://t.co/yDp82WU7Bk pic.twitter.com/lO0cebeO9iFebruary 16, 2024
Prince Harry explained that this won’t be the only time he returns to the UK this year and added that he intends to "stop in" and see his family when he undertakes other trips abroad.
He disclosed, "I have my own family, as we all do, so my family and my life in California is as it is. I’ve got other trips planned that will take me through the UK, or back to the UK, and so I’ll stop in and see my family as much as I can."
The Duke of Sussex declined to comment on his outlook on King Charles' illness, stating simply, "That stays between me and him". However, when asked by Will if King Charles’s illness could potentially be re-unifying for the Royal Family at this challenging time, Prince Harry indicated that it’s definitely possible and something he’s seen a lot with Invictus athletes.
"Throughout all of these families, I see it on a day-to-day basis, again, the strength of the family unit coming together," Harry said. "So, yeah, I think any illness, any sickness, brings families together. I see it time and time again, and that makes me very happy."
In light of his remarks, it seems that Prince Harry is already planning to return to see his family, likely including King Charles, as often as he’s able to over the coming months. His suggestion that illness "brings families together" and his declaration this unifying effect means so much to him is also a positive indication that he’s hoping to grow closer to his family once more.
This echoes his sentiment in one of his last interviews before this - his conversation with ITV's Tom Bradby ahead of the release of Spare last year. In it, the Duke of Sussex candidly said, "I would like to get my father back. I would like to have my brother back."
His meeting with King Charles at Clarence House on 6th February was relatively short, but it’s something that was clearly very important to him. Prince Harry is also said to have had a special phone call with his father on the monarch’s birthday last November. This, along with the fact King Charles personally phoned him to tell him about his diagnosis, could be seen as significant signs of them growing closer.
Fans will no doubt be hoping that on one of Prince Harry’s upcoming trips he could be accompanied by Meghan and possibly their children Prince Archie and Lilibet too. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are in Canada until 16th February and it's not known when Prince Harry will next visit the UK or see King Charles.
