Prince William hosts first engagement since King’s cancer diagnosis and Kate’s surgery

The Prince of Wales has returned to royal duties after his wife’s abdominal operation and following the announcement of the King’s cancer diagnosis.

William, 41, as heir to the throne, will be the leading member of the royal family at official events across the country as his father receives treatment.

He has been hosting an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, awarding honours like CBEs, OBEs and MBEs to recipients.

Later on Wednesday, he will attend a gala fundraising dinner for London’s Air Ambulance Charity.

The King’s cancer treatment as an outpatient started earlier this week, and he returned, with the Queen, to his Sandringham home in Norfolk on Tuesday after seeing his son Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, who had flown back to the UK from California to see him.

The King has postponed all public-facing duties, although he is continuing with work on his red boxes of state papers.

Kate left hospital last Monday and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her three children after undergoing planned abdominal surgery on 16 January at the London Clinic.

William last carried out a major royal event more than three weeks ago, when he travelled to Leeds to make former Leeds Rhinos team-mates Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield each a CBE for raising funds and awareness for motor neurone disease.

After taking time off work, William had planned to return once Kate’s recovery had settled – the 42-year-old future queen is not expected back at official duties until after Easter.

At the same private hospital that cared for Kate, the King received treatment for an enlarged prostate and was discharged the same day as his daughter-in-law.

Former England footballer Ellen White said she sent her “best wishes” to the King when speaking with the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle.

William, who is president of the Football Association, made the record-scoring Lioness an MBE for services to football.

Asked about her conversation with the prince, she said: “I sent my best wishes to the King.

“I just think, you know, it must be a difficult time for the family.

“He was really lovely. It was a really nice conversation. I’ve met him a couple of times, he definitely puts you at ease.”