Prince Harry breaks silence on King Charles' cancer diagnosis: 'Illness brings families together'

Prince Harry plans to support his father, King Charles III of England, as the monarch battles his recent cancer diagnosis. “I'm going to stop and see my family as much as I can,” Harry said Good morning America in an interview that aired Friday, marking the first time he has spoken publicly about his father's health.

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and moved to California, citing behind-closed-doors disputes at Buckingham Palace. Media speculated that he had a strained relationship with his father dating back decades to Charles' divorce from Princess Diana. The Prince's Indicative Memoirs, Backup, showed how broken their relationship was and outraged public opinion. But he told the morning show: “I think any illness, any illness 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 see him and spend every year with him, I'm grateful for that.”

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

Buckingham Palace announced King Charles' diagnosis on February 5. The revelation came after he underwent surgery for a benign prostate enlargement. Whether Charles has prostate cancer or some other form remains unknown. “His Majesty has today begun a program of regular treatments, during which his doctors have advised him to postpone his duties in public,” the Palace said in a statement. “During this period, Her Majesty will continue to conduct state business and official business as usual.”

King Charles III began his reign in September 2022 and was officially crowned in May. Harry's brother William is next in line.