Prince William Touched by Kind Gesture After Kate Cancer News

Prince William appeared visibly touched by a kind gesture on Thursday during his first public engagement since Princess Kate's cancer announcement.

The royal was presented with get-well-soon cards for both Kate and King Charles by a volunteer of the Surplus for Supper food redistribution scheme in West London, which he said was "very kind," assuring that they would be passed on.

William paused his public appearances after Kate made her cancer announcement on March 22, reportedly taking time out of the public eye with his wife and three children (Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis) at their country home on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk over the Easter school vacation.

The princess' announcement came after an extended public absence, firstly after undergoing abdominal surgery in January and then followed by the cancer diagnosis in February. In her video message, Kate said that she was undergoing "preventative chemotherapy" and that it had taken time for herself and William to explain the circumstances to their children.

For his first engagements back after the Easter break, William focused on organizations offering vital community services in West London and its surrounding areas.

The first visit to Surplus for Supper saw the royal chopping vegetables and meeting volunteers at the facility in Sunbury-on-Thames which takes in food items that might have gone to waste, to redistribute them in healthy meal form to those in need.

It was at the facility that the prince met the volunteer identified by reporters covering the visit as Rachel Candappa. After curtsying to the royal, she presented him with the two cards, one for Kate and one for King Charles who was also recently diagnosed with cancer.

After telling Candappa she was "very kind," he placed a hand on her shoulder to thank her.

ITV royal producer Lizzie Robinson, who was at the event, posted footage of the touching exchange to X (formerly Twitter) with the caption: "Volunteer Rachel Candappa gives the Prince of Wales cards for the King and Princess of Wales during his visit to Surplus for Supper."

After his visit to Surplus for Supper, William moved on to spend time at one of the community initiatives which receives food support from the charity. The royal made his way to Hanworth Centre Hub in Feltham which provides community support and services.

While there, he met with young people to discuss the project's outreach and the benefits it brings.

Princess Kate is not expected to return to public duties until she has finished her chemotherapy treatment and had a period of rest and recuperation.

In her March 22 announcement, the royal said she was looking forward to returning to her work but said her focus should remain on her health.

"We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment," she said. "My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery."

James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.

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