The heir to the throne spoke publicly about his family’s health problems for the first time, thanking people at a charity dinner for their “kind messages of support”. Prince William returned to royal duties after his father, King Charles III, announced he had been diagnosed with cancer and his wife Kate was hospitalized for abdominal surgery. Charles, 75, underwent outpatient treatment in London on Monday and is currently at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Unable to take on public-facing duties for the foreseeable future, Prince William, 41, has become the main voice representing the monarchy in public.