Latest: King Charles news: William ‘upset’ at Harry’s ‘PR stunt’ as Kate update given

Sarah Ferguson has issued a touching message for the King after both she and him were recently diagnosed with cancer.

Writing on Instagram, the Duchess of York said: “His Majesty is very dear to me and I think I speak for everyone when I say he is in my thoughts and prayers.”

The words came alongside a picture of herself at her first event since being diagnosed with malignant melanoma, the Cancer Alliance Hope and Help Luncheon. It was also her first public appearance since hearing of the news Charles is being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer.

She continued: “It felt like a timely moment to help raise funds to support others dealing with cancer diagnoses, who may be going through financial or emotional struggles in light of a health emergency. It was both healing and inspiring to meet so many amazing ladies, who do so much for others through their work with Cancer Alliance.”

Health professionals have thanked the King for raising awareness about cancer amid praise of his “openness and honesty” in sharing personal health news, following the announcement of his latest diagnosis.

Dr Jay Verma, president of the GP section at the Royal Society of Medicine, thanked Charles for using his “unique position” to highlight how cancer can affect anyone.

He said: “We wish His Majesty a speedy recovery and success in his treatment for cancer.

“We have made leaps and bounds in our cancer treatment and survival rates, and the earlier a problem is diagnosed, the more options there are for treatment.”

Professor Pat Price, founder of the Catch Up With Cancer campaign, similarly praised Charles’ honesty, saying: “The King’s openness about his battle with cancer is a powerful reminder that one in two of us may face cancer at some point in our lives.”

Chiara De Biase, director of support and influencing at Prostate Cancer UK, highlighted a 500% increase in people coming to the charity’s website for information and support in the week following the King’s announcement of his enlarged prostate condition in January.

Prince William is “upset” with his brother after Prince Harry’s brief visit to see their father following the King’s shock cancer diagnosis.

The Duke of Sussex dashed to the UK to reunite with his father after Charles’ health announcement – but Harry reportedly spent less than an hour with the 75-year-old monarch before returning home to California the next day, having had no contact with his estranged sibling.

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told The Sun: “William would be upset that Harry yet again has chosen to make this visit to see his father a PR opportunity.”

The Prince of Wales, the Queen and other working royals will step up their royal duties while the King undergoes treatment for a form of cancer.

Buckingham Palace has confirmed a number of the King’s forthcoming public engagements will have to be rearranged or postponed, but it is not anticipated that Counsellors of State will need to be appointed.

The family stepped up almost immediately after the King’s condition was announced publicly. Princess Anne carried out three separate engagements on Tuesday alone and several others throughout the rest of the week.

Prince William also returned to work on Wednesday following the break he took in recent weeks to focus on his family and his wife, the Princess of Wales, as she recovers from abdominal surgery.

Queen Camilla also stepped out for an official engagement this week, where she gave an update on the King’s health.

The King’s openness about his cancer diagnosis contrasts significantly from how the news of his grandfather’s ill health was handled.

On February 6 1952, this day 72 years ago, King George VI died in the middle of the night.

He had survived a major operation to remove his left lung in September 1951, but succumbed to a blood clot just a few months later. His death came as a shock to the public and the royal family, as even the King was not informed of the full extent of his illness.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday, former royal press secretary Simon Lewis said that Charles’ openness about his cancer diagnosis has been his “style” as a monarch.

“And I do think his advisors, with this statement I’m sure we’ll talk about it, have actually got it spot on,” he said.

“I think 20 years ago we would have got a very abrupt, short, statement, and that’s about it. And I think they’ve gone as far as they possibly can given that the King has had a diagnosis of cancer and, as a lot of people know, processing that is a pretty tough process.”

Stephen Fry has praised the King for revealing his cancer diagnosis to the public, but said he is “anxious” for him.

The 66-year-old actor and comedian, who had prostate cancer in 2018, said Charles’s “very swift modernising” of the monarchy now includes “an openness about something as personal and indelicate as a cancer”.

Announcing on Monday the Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer, Buckingham Palace said he had chosen to share the news to “assist public understanding” for those around the world affected by the disease.

Speaking on the BBC’s Today Podcast, Fry said: “I am anxious, of course – anxious for his wellbeing, and anxious that, having sort of been in the wings all this time and to have such a short time on centre stage, if he were to be seriously ill, would be really, really sad, because he has a lot to do and a lot he wants to do.

“I think what he wants to do is good, is beneficial for the country and for the people he’s there to help.”

Prince Harry’s brief visit to the UK “stirred the pot” according to a royal expert.

The Duke of Sussex cleared his schedule to fly from California to visit his father in London after he was diagnosed with an unknown form of cancer.

The rushed visit sparked concerns about the severity of the King’s diagnosis.

Royal expert Robert Jobson told The Sun: “This is one of the reasons Charles probably didn’t want all the drama. The fact of Harry flying over does give the suggestion that his condition may be a lot worse than it actually may well be.

“I think a lot of people will be sitting there thinking, ‘Oh well, it must be bad because he’s on the plane’.

“Harry brings with him a certain drama. Will there be a reconciliation with William and the King? It stirs that whole pot.”

The start of the week brought sad news regarding the King’s health as it was announced by Buckingham Palace that he was diagnosed with an unknown form of cancer.

However, the royal family has pulled together to take on more work as Charles steps back from public engagements.

Prince William, Queen Camilla, Prince Edward and Princess Anne all carried out official visits this week.

The Princess of Wales is reportedly on the mend and has been able to go on a half-term outing with her family following her abdominal surgery.

Kate spent 13 days recovering from her procedure in hospital before she retreated to her home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.

Almost two weeks on from her hospital exit, the Mail Online reported that the mother-of-three has been able to join her family on a half-term holiday to Sandringham this week.

“Catherine is recovering well,” a friend told the paper. “She was looking forward to a change of scene and will be able to take it easy in Norfolk while the children let off steam with William.”

The rift between the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex appears to be continuing, as the brothers failed to see eachother amid their father’s cancer diagnosis.

Harry flew thousands of miles from his Californian home to be at the King’s side within 24 hours of the news becoming public.

The Duke spent less than an hour with his father, but there was no meeting between the royal siblings on Tuesday.

Instead, Harry is likely to have spent time with his cousins Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie while in the UK, who have remained in contact.