Prince William shares sweet commitment towards cancer-stricken Kate Middleton

Prince William has expressed a heartfelt promise to support and stand by Kate Middleton, who is currently battling cancer.

The Prince of Wales returned to public duties for first time since Kate has been diagnosed with cancer. He visited a food distribution charity Surplus to Supper to highlight community efforts to curb food waste.

During the engagement, Volunteer Rachel Candappa, 71, handed two get well soon cards to the prince addressed to the King and Kate.

William, who looked visibly moved, said: "Thank you, you are very kind". When Rachel told the heir to the throne to look after Kate he placed his left hand on her shoulder and promised "I will". Speaking afterwards Rachel, of Sunbury-on-Thames, said: "I said take care of her and he said 'I will'.

William, 41, has spent the past three-and-a-half weeks with his wife and children during the Easter holiday, as the family took time to process Kate's diagnosis. In a video message to the nation on March 22, Kate asked that time, space and privacy be afforded to her family following her chemotherapy announcement.

She said: "I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be okay."

William's last public engagement before today came on March 19, when he visited Sheffield to promote his Homewards homelessness campaign.