Prince Harry Breaks Silence on King Charles’ Cancer Diagnosis: ‘Sickness Brings Families Together’

Prince Harry plans on supporting his father, King Charles III of England, as the monarch battles his recent cancer diagnosis. “I’ll stop in and see my family as much as I can,” Harry said on Good Morning America in an interview that aired Friday, marking the first time he’s publicly addressed his father’s health.

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and moved to California, citing closed-door controversies at Buckingham Palace. The media has speculated that he has had a strained relationship with his father going back decades to Charles’ divorce from Princess Diana. The prince’s tell-all memoir, Spare, showed how fractured their relationship was and exasperated public opinion. But he told the morning show, “I think any illness, any sickness brings families together.”

In the interview, Harry said he was grateful for the opportunity to spend time with his dad. “Look, I love my family,” he said. “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.”

It was widely reported in early February that Harry flew to the U.K. to visit with King Charles, a day after the monarch publicly acknowledged his diagnosis. Markle did not accompany the prince.

Buckingham Palace announced King Charles’ diagnosis on Feb. 5. The revelation came after he underwent a procedure for a benign prostate enlargement. Whether Charles has prostate cancer or some other form remains unknown. “His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties,” the Palace said in a statement. “Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.”

King Charles III began his reign in September 2022 and was officially coronated in May. Harry’s brother, William, is next in line in succession.