Prince William cuts celery during a visit to a surplus food redistribution charity, his first official engagement since Kate's cancer diagnosis. Photo: AFP/Pool
By Hafsa Khalil and Ian Aikman, BBC News
The Prince of Wales has received get well soon cards for his wife on his first official engagement since the Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis.
He appeared moved as charity volunteer Rachel Candappa handed him the cards.
When Candappa, 71, asked him about Catherine, telling him to "take care of her", William replied: "I will."
The prince had taken a step back from royal appearances to spend time with the princess and his three children.
His most recent previous royal duty was a visit to a homelessness project in Sheffield in March, days before the Catherine released a video statement announcing she was in the early stages of cancer.
Although he has not made any official appearances since then, he has been seen in public.
On Thursday, William helped volunteers prepare food deliveries on a visit to Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey.
The prince tried his hand at preparing meals in the charity's kitchen, and was seen cutting celery and stirring away at a bubbling pot.
Candappa, who gave the prince the cards, said she stayed up until 1am the night before William's visit to perfect her wording.
Commenting on the prince appearing touched by her gesture, Candappa said: "He's human after all, remember he's royal, but apart from royal he's a husband, a father to the children."
She wrote in her message to Catherine: "The nation's hearts were broken when you very courageously went on the global stage on your own to talk about your personal health issues."
Shortly after William left the kitchen, Surplus to Supper founder Claire Hopkins said she felt "proud and privileged" to have been chosen by the Palace for a royal visit.
Later on Thursday, Prince William helped load boxes of food onto one of the charity's vans, and joined volunteers to deliver them to the Hanworth Youth Centre in Feltham, west London.
After dropping off the food, the prince chatted with young people about what the centre offers them.
Last week, the prince was seen with his eldest son Prince George at an Aston Villa football match.
Catherine has not attended any official events since Christmas.
In a shock announcement in March, the Princess of Wales revealed her cancer diagnosis, after weeks of speculation on her whereabouts.
Her cancer was discovered in post-operative tests following her abdominal surgery in January.
The princess won't return to royal duties until she is cleared by her medical team, but there is no timeline for this.
She has not been seen or heard from in public since her announcement, aside from a joint statement with William on X/Twitter last week, paying tribute to the victims of the Sydney attacks.
The King has also temporarily stepped back from his public duties while he is treated for cancer.
- This story was first published by the [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68844711
BBC]
