HARRY'S SHOW OF LOVE CHEERS KING

Smiling Charles seen for first time since cancer diagnosis

- Richard Palmer

SMILING alongside his beloved Camilla, the King looks relaxed after Prince Harry made a transatlantic dash to see his father for the first time in nine months.

The long-awaited reunion came hours after his younger son, in a show of love, flew in overnight after Charles's cancer diagnosis.

Sources described the 45-minute meeting at Clarence House as a "cause for optimism".

The King waved happily to onlookers, the first time he had been seen since revealing his illness, before flying Palace on to Sandringham from Buckingham a royal helicopter. Despite visiting the UK in June and September last year, the Duke of Sussex, 39, had not seen his father since May's Coronation. It is understood that even during that weekend there was no time for a proper face-to-face meeting.

But they spoke on the phone before the King's diagnosis was made public on Monday then Harry landed from Los Angeles yesterday lunchtime and headed straight to his father's main London residence.

Palace officials gave no details of their private meeting - it is thought that the King kept it to himself.

But the occasion raised the hopes of family and friends that father and son can find a way to heal their rift while the monarch is treated for an undisclosed cancer.

One well-placed source, noting the length of time they spent talking, said: "I'd have thought that was cause for optimism." However, the chances of Harry and his brother ending their differences look more distant. It is understood that William has no plans for them to meet while Harry is back.