During his return to official duties, the Prince of Wales conveyed his gratitude for the supportive messages received while both King Charles and the Princess of Wales are undergoing treatment for cancer.

The Prince Of Wales Visits Surrey
SUNBURY, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Prince William, Prince of Wales is given cards for his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales by volunteer Rachel Candappa as Claire Hopkins, Operations Director looks on (L) during a visit to Surplus to Supper, in Sunbury-on-Thames on April 18, 2024 in Surrey, England. The Prince visited Surplus to Supper, a surplus food redistribution charity, to learn about its work bridging the gap between food waste and food poverty across Surrey and West London. Photo by Alastair Grant-WPA Pool/Getty Images

In his first public appearance since the announcement of Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis, Prince William was visibly touched when presented with heartfelt cards for his wife and father during a visit to a food distribution charity in Sunbury-on-Thames on Thursday.

Prince William and Kate Middleton's Family
Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Princess Charlotte of Wales and Britain's Prince Louis of Wales wave to the crowds from the Buckingham Palace balcony as they wait for the Royal Air Force fly-past in central London on May 6, 2023, after the coronations of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. LEON NEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

"Oh, some cards, you're very kind. Thank you very much," said Prince William, 41, to volunteer Rachel Candappa, as captured in a video shared on X by Lizzie Robinson of ITN.

As Candappa, 71, expressed her heartfelt sentiments, urging William to take care of his wife, he responded with a reassuring touch on her shoulder and affirmed, "I will," as reported by The Telegraph.

Chris Ship from ITV revealed that the volunteer had invested considerable thought into crafting her message for the cards.

Prince William and Kate Middleton
(L-R) Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend 'Rippa Rugby' in the Forstyth Barr Stadium on day 7 of a Royal Tour to New Zealand on April 13, 2014 in Dunedin, New Zealand. David Rowland - Pool/Getty Images

Buckingham Palace disclosed the 75-year-old king's medical condition on Feb. 5, clarifying that his treatment in January was for a benign enlarged prostate, not prostate cancer, as confirmed by a spokesperson. According to NBC News, in an emailed statement the palace announced how "Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer."

Later, on March 22, the 42-year-old princess revealed in a video message that after her abdominal surgery in January indications of cancer was found.

William's visit to the charity marks his return to the public eye. These engagements came after a hiatus spent with his family, coinciding with the school holidays for their children: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5. It's possible that Princess Kate strategically timed her health announcement until the children were out of school, allowing the family to prioritize private time together.

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Prince of Wales, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Kate Middleton, King Charles