Prince William promised to ‘look after’ Kate Middleton as he returned to public engagements for the first time since she revealed her battle with cancer – with sources saying he is determined to balance his duty with supporting the Princess.

The Prince of Wales appeared relaxed as he visited Surplus to Supper, a surplus food redistribution charity in Surrey, on April 20, beaming as he chatted to staff at the organisation.

During one discussion, he spoke with Rachel Candappa, who kindly handed the father-of-three cards wishing both his wife and father well in their individual cancer battles.

In a touching moment between the two, he placed his hand on her shoulder in a gesture of thanks. As she urged him to ‘take care’ of the Princess, he said repeatedly, ‘I will do, I will.’

The Prince of Wales has promised to look after Kate Middleton during his first public engagement since she revealed her cancer diagnosis

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Prince William was handed two cards by staff during the visit (WPA Pool/Getty Images)

It was an apparently emotional moment for the Prince, who went on to visit a youth centre in West London to learn how about how it supports local young people. The Prince appeared relaxed and thoughtful during the visits, gamely throwing on a high-vis jacket as he delivered food supplies to families for the organisation. The engagements will have been particularly poignant for Prince William, who is returning to work after a lengthy break out of the spotlight – as he tries to support Kate, and their three children, through her cancer battle. He is also, of course, facing the challenges of his father also receiving cancer treatment at the same time.

According to the DailyMail’s Rebecca English, William and Kate have both felt immensely ‘grateful’ for the space they have been given since she announced she was receiving preventative chemotherapy back in March. After Kate shared her cancer news in an emotional video, the couple retreated to their family home of Anmer Hall in Norfolk, where they spent Easter. It is believed the Princess’s mother Carole even moved in with them in order to offer additional support. It has now emerged how much of a real break it was for the Prince and Princess. English reported that only the couple’s closest aides were speaking to the couple during the break, emphasising their ‘need to regroup’ as a family.