Prince William carried out an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.Photo:The Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram
The Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram
Prince Williamis back to royal work following a series of family health announcements.
The Prince of Wales, 41, made his first public engagement on Wednesday since his wife,Kate Middleton, returned home following her 13-day hospital stay afterabdominal surgery. It also marked him resuming royal duty for the first time amid the news ofKing Charles’cancer diagnosis, revealed earlier this week.
Prince William conducted a morning of investitures at Windsor Castle on behalf of his father, presenting medals to the likes of former soccer player Ellen White and brigadier Tobias Lambert, who was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Investitures recognize outstanding achievement, personal bravery or services to the U.K., and the ceremonies are held throughout the year to celebrate those named to the New Year Honors List or the sovereign’s Birthday Honors list.
Ellen Convery, who is better known as Ellen White from her soccer playing days, received an MBE from Prince William for services to soccer as the royal returned to public duties.
“It was an incredible honor to receive an MBE so I feel very lucky,” she said at the castle.
“I sent my best wishes to the King and obviously to Kate, the Princess of Wales as well,” she continued. “He was lovely. He really appreciated it. I just wanted to send my best wishes.”
The pair also chatted about Prince William’s favorite soccer team: Aston Villa.
“He’s been an incredible supporter of women’s football for so many years, since I’ve been a part of England and playing football,” Convery, 34, tells PEOPLE. “It was amazing to receive it from him and to have a bit of a chat about football as well, which definitely put me at ease and made me feel a bit more relaxed. So that was really nice.”
Prince William and Ellen White at the investiture ceremony on Feb. 7, 2024.The Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram
“I was waiting to be able to say, ‘I hope everybody is okay,’ but, in fact, he was so interested in what Little Hearts Matter does that I didn’t get the opportunity to do that,” she said. “I just hope that the family are alright because they’re certainly going through an awful lot at the moment.”
She adds, “It is a difficult time for him, but it wasn’t spoken about. With all the royals it is stiff upper lip and duty as normal, isn’t it?”
Prince William at the investiture ceremony on Feb. 7, 2024.The Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram
Prince William was not expected to resume public duties until several days after Kate was home from the hospital. While Prince Williamvisited his wifeat the London Clinic, their three children did not go to see their mother there.
“I don’t think she wanted to make more of a big thing of it than it already was. They’ll be rallying ‘round in their own way and helping to look after her,” royal biographer Ingrid Seward exclusivelytold PEOPLE.
Princess Kate wasdischarged from the hospitalon Jan. 29, and Prince William stepped out for the investiture at Windsor Castle nine days later. Prince William and his family’s home of Adelaide Cottage is within the 655-acre Windsor estate, making the engagement a convenient commute from the royal residence where Princess Kate continues to recover. Kensington Palace said on Jan. 17 that Princess Kate would recuperate at home following the hospital stay after surgery and was “unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter” based on the current medical advice.
Prince William’s return to work Wednesday is set to be a day of double duty, as the Prince of Wales is also scheduled to attend London’s Air Ambulance Charity gala dinner later in the day. It’s a cause close to heart for Prince William, who was an air ambulance pilot for aroundtwo years in East Angliaand serves as the organization’s patron.
It was confirmed that Prince William wouldreturn to workbefore Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles was diagnosed with cancer. The statement came shortly after King Charles was treated for anenlarged prostate. However, he does not have prostate cancer.
Kate Middleton and Prince William in March 2023.Samir Hussein/WireImage
“During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer,” Buckingham Palace said in the statement on Monday.
“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,” the statement added.
Queen Camilla and King Charles leave Clarence House in London on Feb. 6.HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images
HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images
It’s understood that the King personally informed his sons, Prince William andPrince Harry, as well as other family members of his cancer diagnosis before Buckingham Palace made the public announcement.
As heir to the throne, Prince Williammay undertake some duties on behalf of his fatherin addition to his own diary of engagements in the coming weeks, PEOPLE understands. However, there are currently no plans toappoint Counsellors of Stateto act on King Charles’ behalf. Counsellors of State are members of the royal family who cancarry out constitutional duties for the monarchif he is abroad or unwell.
The potential for increased responsibilities for Prince William as King Charles’ heir highlighted the royal family’s thinned ranks sincePrince HarryandMeghan Marklestepped back from their working royal roles in 2020 andPrince Andrewwas forced to stop public duties due to his controversial ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
“William will do his best, but the King will want to carry on with his duties as best he can,” says the source close to the royal household.
PEOPLE magazine, Feb. 19.
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The Duke of Sussex, 39,arrived in Londonon Tuesday after catching a flight from Los Angeles on Monday. Prince Harry andMeghan Marklerelocated to her home state of California in 2020, and Harry made the trip without his wife and their children,Prince Archie, 4, andPrincess Lilibet, 2. It’s believed that Prince Harry and the King were most recently together at the coronation ceremony in May 2023. However, a royal source says there are “no plans” for Prince Harry and Prince William to get together.
source: people.com
