Prince Harry reveals he’s 'grateful' for having time with King Charles amid cancer diagnosis

The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, is currently in Vancouver supporting the Invictus Games which will take place one year from now, but his mind is on current affairs, such as his father King Charles’ recent cancer diagnosis.

Good Morning America caught up with the royal to ask him about his feelings surrounding his father’s health, and to dish on their reunion amidst some family strife.

“Look, I love my family,” Harry told GMA reporter Will Reeve in a clip that aired this morning. “The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that.”

When asked how he first learned of King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, Harry revealed it wasn’t through the grapevine or via the news headlines. He’s still in contact and communicating with his old man. "I spoke to him! I jumped on a plane and went to go see him as soon as I could."

However, just like during his infamous Oprah interview where he held back certain private issues, Harry wouldn’t go into detail about the state of King Charles’ health. "That stays between me and him,” he said curtly.

Buckingham Palace announced in a statement on February 5 that, "During The King's recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.” A spokesperson shared that doctors advised the King to take a leave from public duties but he will continue with official State business. The Palace noted that Charles' medical team was quick to respond to the discovery of cancerous cells, and the King was confident in his full recovery. Charles decided to make his diagnosis public in solidarity with others who are affected by cancer, though what type of cancer it is has not yet been disclosed.

When it was revealed that Harry immediately flew to his father’s bedside, some suggested this might mean Charles’ prognosis is worse than publicly known, however, the trip was quick, suggesting that Charles might be in better health.

His trip back to the UK also shows signs that his relationship with his family might be slowly repairing following his bombshell allegations of in-fighting, backstabbing, and racism within The Firm in his memoir “Spare.” In a 2023 interview with Britain's ITV News, Harry stated at the time that his brother Prince Wiliams and father had shown no signs of extending an olive branch.

 "I would like to get my father back. I would like to get my brother back. They've shown absolutely no willingness to reconcile," he told journalist Tom Bradby. "They feel as though it's better to keep us somewhat, as the villains." Harry also suggested that the royal family had gone as far as to leak stories about himself and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and accused Buckingham Palace of refusing to help them when it came to their media attention, despite apparently helping out other members of the family.

Speaking with GMA this morning, Harry was hopeful that this trying time for his father might have a “reunifying effect” on the family.  "Absolutely. Yeah, I'm sure. Throughout all these families, I see it on a day-to-day basis, the strength of the family unit coming together. I think any illness, any sickness brings families together."

However, he tempered all that with a reminder that he has two young children of his own and living in California is foremost on his mind these days.  "I have my own family, as we all do. My family and my life in California is as it is. I've got other trips planned that would take me through the U.K. or back to the U.K., so I'll stop in and see my family as much as I can."