Prince William visited a surplus food redistribution charity in Sunbury-on-Thames today where he had a very sweet moment with one of their volunteers.
The heir to the throne made the comment after being moved by a volunteer who handed him two get well soon cards, one for King Charles and one for Kate, while visiting a surplus food redistribution charity on Thursday.
In his first royal engagement since March 19, William gave a helping hand loading food and cooking in the kitchen at Surplus to Supper, in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey.
When touring the facilities, one of the charity’s volunteers, Rachel Candappa, 71, handed him the two get well soon cards. William, who looked visibly moved, said: “Thank you, you are very kind.”
He placed a hand on her shoulder before changing the subject to discuss spaghetti hoops.
Prince William was handed two get well soon cards (Image: PA)
Speaking afterwards Rachel, of Sunbury-on-Thames, said: “I said take care of her and he said ‘I will’.”
The volunteer said she was surprised to have had the opportunity to give the cards to the future King, and after shaking hands with him said: “I’m never washing my hand again.”
Rachel only finished writing the cards at 1am on Thursday, and wrote in Kate’s card: “Nation’s hearts were broken when you very courageously went on the global stage on your own to talk about your personal health issues.
“With no trimmings or flowering around issues, you gave the chance just few chosen words to assure anyone who cares to listen that you will fight this dreadful “C” disease. You must have had a lot of steel in you to hold it together.
“Your Royal Highness you are going to beat this with the support of your dutiful and loving husband, caring parents and very close siblings.
“It’s no miracle not only His Majesty the King but the whole world is proud how you are focusing on to keep healthy and protect your children through this difficult times.
“You have not stepped a foot wrong to date and don’t let anyone say otherwise. The whole nation will be behind you.”
Prince William helped pack the food at the redistribution centre (Image: Getty)
Today marks William’s first engagement since March 19, as he took a short break from duties to spend time with Kate and their children during the Easter holidays.
The Princess of Wales appealed for her family to have time, space and privacy, when she announced in a video message to the nation on March 22 that she had begun chemotherapy.
The undisclosed form of cancer was discovered in post-operative tests following her major abdominal surgery in January.
At the start of February, the King shocked the nation by revealing that he too has been diagnosed with cancer is undergoing treatment.
During today’s visit, the heir to the throne gave a helping hand loading food and cooking in the kitchen at the food distribution charity.
Surplus to Supper is a volunteer-led charity which redistributes surplus food from large organisations to smaller community organisations, all within a five-mile radius.
With an ethos of ‘in bellies not bins’ the charity’s work chimes with William’s work on The Earthshot Prize which has a category focused on building a waste free world.
Surplus to Supper operates seven days a week redistributing over three tonnes of surplus food a day with its network of 200 local volunteers, which includes Duke of Edinburgh award students.
