Prince William is all smiles on his first overnight trip since Kate’s cancer

Prince William went out to Cornwall alone for his first overnight trip since Princess Kate Middletonthe diagnosis of cancer.

William, 41, arrived in the southwest of England on Thursday (May 9), visiting the site of a new housing project in Newquay. The project was announced earlier this year and will include 24 living spaces for people experiencing homelessness. Designed by local architects, temporary homes offer the opportunity to find permanent housing. Work is expected to begin this fall.

For his outing on Thursday, William wore a crisp navy suit with a pale blue button-down shirt. He smiled broadly as he met the coordinators of the innovative housing project.

William and Kate, 42, inherited the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cornwall in September 2022 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Thursday was William’s first visit to Cornwall since taking up his new role.

Timeline of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s relationship

Kate has not accompanied her husband as she continues her recovery. She revealed in March that she had been diagnosed with cancer after being hospitalized for abdominal surgery several months prior. Her last official royal engagement was in December 2023.

Throughout Kate’s health issues, William briefly took a step back from his own duties. Before his diagnosis was made public, an insider exclusively told Us every week that William “canceled two overseas appearances” in order to take on “more childcare duties” at home following Kate’s procedure.

As well as his visit to Newquay, William is expected to spend his first night away from London amid Kate’s recovery, and will travel to the Isles of Scilly on Friday May 10 to meet hospital staff and operators at St Mary’s Harbour.

As William slowly got back into the swing of his busy work schedule, Deadline reported on Wednesday (May 8) that he and Kate are expected to skip the upcoming BAFTA TV Awards. In lieu of attending the ceremony, William will record a video message which will be broadcast during the event on Sunday, May 12.

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William, who is president of BAFTA, previously attended the organisation’s film awards ceremony in February, without Kate by his side, weeks after his operation.

“I’m sorry Catherine isn’t here. She loves the BAFTAs,” he said. Elaine BedellManaging Director of the Southbank Center at the time.

As for Kate’s return to royal duties, Buckingham Palace has previously said the timing depends on her doctors. “The princess will return to her official duties when cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and focused on making a full recovery,” read a March statement, which noted that William “will continue to balance supporting his wife and family with maintaining his official duties as he done since the beginning of the year. »