LONDON, Feb 6, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - King Charles III's estranged son Prince

Harry reportedly arrived in London on Tuesday after his father's diagnosis of
cancer, which his doctors said was "caught early".

Harry, who now lives in California with his actress wife Meghan and their
children, has been at war with his family since quitting royal life and
launching a barrage of score-settling criticism in his best-selling
autobiography "Spare".

The Telegraph and The Sun newspapers reported that Harry arrived at Heathrow
airport following an overnight flight from Los Angeles.

His car was reportedly seen being driven from the airport accompanied by two
police cars, less than 24 hours since Buckingham Palace made Charles's cancer
diagnosis public.

Royal watchers say that while Charles's ill health may be a catalyst for a
rapprochement between father and son, healing the rift with his brother
Prince William, heir to the throne, would be more difficult.

Buckingham Palace has not specified the type of cancer afflicting the 75-
year-old monarch who will now step back from public-facing royal duties to
complete his treatment.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the cancer had been "caught early".

Charles is just 17 months into his reign having waited decades to begin the
job he was born to do following the death of his 96-year-old mother, Queen
Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022.

Citizens expressed shock and sympathy at the news.

"We were just incredibly sad and hope... that he gets over it," said Sue
Hazell, a retiree from the northern English city of Doncaster, as she visited
Buckingham Palace.

"It's not nice to hear anyone's been diagnosed with cancer," added Sarah
Firisen, 55, a software sales worker.

"I feel kind of bad for him. He waited all these years to be king."

The diagnosis will prolong a frontline shortage of royals created by
Charles's admission to hospital last month for a benign prostate procedure
and the almost simultaneous hospitalisation of Catherine, Princess of Wales.

The royals' health issues have left 76-year-old Queen Camilla as the highest
profile royal, with support from Charles's sister Princess Anne, 73.

- 'Wholly positive' -

"Thankfully, this has been caught early and now everyone will be wishing that
he gets the treatment that he needs and makes a full recovery," Sunak told
the BBC.

"I think that's what we're all hoping and praying for and I am, of course, in
regular contact with him and will continue to communicate with him as
normal," he said.

Charles has generally enjoyed good health, barring injuries from polo and
skiing.

But the palace said that during his recent hospital procedure to treat a
prostate enlargement, "a separate issue of concern was noted" and subsequent
diagnostic tests had identified "a form of cancer".

"Many families around the country who are listening to this will have been
touched by the same thing and they know what it means for everyone," Sunak
said.

"So we'll just be willing him on and hopefully we'll get through this as
quickly as possible."

Doctors have advised Charles to postpone any engagements, though he will
continue to "undertake state business and official paperwork as usual", the
palace said.

The king "remains wholly positive" and "looks forward to returning to full
public duty as soon as possible", it added.

- Shock announcement -

Charles won plaudits last month for being open about his prostate condition,
with doctors saying many more members of the public had subsequently come
forward with symptoms.

He was discharged from a London hospital on January 29 after a three-night
stay for corrective surgery.

The palace added that the king had chosen to share his cancer diagnosis "to
prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for
all those around the world who are affected by cancer".

Messages wishing Charles a swift recovery flooded in.

US President Joe Biden said he was "concerned" about Charles, while Canadian
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he and the nation were "thinking" of him.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters: "All Australians
will be sending their best wishes to King Charles for a speedy recovery."

French President Emmanuel Macron also wished Charles a "speedy recovery",
adding on X that "Our thoughts are with the British people."

The diagnosis is a blow to the royal family, who has been spread thinly in
recent weeks.

Catherine, 42, who is the wife of Charles's son and heir to the throne Prince
William, underwent abdominal surgery at the same hospital where Charles was
treated.

She left on the same day as Charles last Monday following a stay of around
two weeks, and may not return to public duties until late March.

William, 41, also stepped back temporarily from planned engagements to help
care for their three children, though he is expected to return to royal
duties this week.