William returning to official duties after Kates cancer statement

Jonny Dymond

Reporting from Sunbury Cricket Club

Outside the cricket club where Prince William is expected, a small crowd has gathered in the spring sunshine. Many of those here are local residents curious to see a royal visit.

"I’m here to pass on regards and best wishes," says one; another says: "I just want to support his first engagement" since the statement by the Princess of Wales.

From a third spectator comes appreciation of the prince’s work: "It’s a great thing he’s doing."

The Princess of Wales revealed last month that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing "preventative chemotherapy".

The shock announcement came after weeks of speculation on her whereabouts.

In the statement, which you can read in full here, she said "we hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment".

The princess won’t return to royal duties until she is cleared by her medical team, but there is no timeline for this.

Aside from a joint statement on X last week paying tribute to the victims of the Sydney attacks, she hasn’t been seen or heard from in public since her announcement.

Prince William is returning to official royal duties for the first time since his wife, the Princess of Wales, announced her cancer diagnosis last month.

He is expected to attend a food distribution charity in Surrey this afternoon - including, were told, lending a hand in the kitchen - before heading to a youth centre in west London.

Stay tuned as we follow the royal visit - you can watch the event, on a short delay, by pressing play at the top of the page after midday.