The Prince of Wales marked a milestone this week as he travelled the furthest away from his family since the Princess of Wales revealed her cancer diagnosis to carry out two days of official engagements.
This decision, a leading royal expert told OK!, is a positive sign as it suggests that Kate is "feeling stronger every day".
Prince William was in Cornwall in his role as the head of the Duchy of Cornwall and focused on raising the plight of homelessness with visits to the Nansledan Estate. Elsewhere on the visit, William met with hospital staff on the Isles of Scilly and enjoyed an impromptu game of volleyball with young lifeguards on Fistral Beach.
Speaking about William spending two nights away from home in Cornwall, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively told OK!: "It’s great news that William feels relaxed enough to stay away for a night.
"I’ve no doubt that Catherine‘s parents will be staying with her, but even so it must be a step in the right direction. Hopefully Catherine is feeling stronger every day and, with the sun now shining, she’ll be able to enjoy the great outdoors which, for her, has always been restorative."
While he was out and about, William gave an update on the Princess of Wales, saying: “She's doing well, thanks,” before adding: "The children are very jealous that I am here... Maybe we might come later in the year."
William's visit to Cornwall overlapped with Prince Harry's return to the UK for the 10th anniversary service of the Invictus Games and his subsequent trip to Nigeria with the Duchess of Sussex.
During his time in the UK, Harry did not meet up with any members of the Royal Family despite it previously being thought that a meeting with his father, The King, would be on the cards.
On whether Harry and his elder brother will get over their rift in the years to come, Jennie explains: "I think we have to give up hope that the rift between the brothers will be healed at any time in the near future, or indeed ever.
"William’s head and heart must be bursting with all that he has on his plate right now: his wife’s cancer treatment, his father’s illness, his children growing up fast, the pressure for him to take on more royal duties, the prospect of becoming King earlier than he might ever have wanted.
"Dealing with 'the Harry problem' is probably just one step too far for William. I believe he has moved on with his life and has, to all intents and purposes, disowned the brother to whom he was once so close."
While Harry and Meghan stepped back from their senior royal roles in 2020, their visit to Nigeria was dubbed a 'mini royal tour' - a reference which Jennie points out will not have "pleased" King Charles or Prince William.
The expert said: “The King and Prince William are firmly of the belief that you are either in or out of the working Royals.
"This seems to be a rather strange halfway house. I think both the King and the Prince, and indeed the Government, will want it to be made clear that Harry is not representing either the Royal Family or Britain on this trip.”
