The Duke of Sussex is willing to step into a temporary royal role while his father undergoes cancer treatment, it has been reported.

The Times newspaper reports Harry has told friends he would step into such a role while Charles is unwell.

The duke and his father are said to have had several “warm exchanges” since the King’s illness was diagnosed, it was claimed.

Harry, who stepped down as a working royal alongside his wife the Duchess of Sussex in 2020, is a counsellor of state but is not expected to take up any of the King’s duties while he recovers.

A royal source has also told the newspaper that Charles, 75, is keen to reconcile and see more of his son, and believes doing so would benefit the monarchy.

The source told The Times: “On all practical levels it makes perfect sense for the family to come together to support the King while he’s sick.

“Much has been said on both sides in recent years, but that has never diminished the fundamental bond of blood, and there are now pragmatic aspects to consider, with the King and Kate’s wellbeing ­paramount in this.

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“The details of the Clarence House meeting and subsequent conversations are private, but the feeling is that this arrangement could work.”

A written plan would need to be drawn up by the King and his aides before Harry could return to any official duties and would not receive public funds, the newspaper said.

It comes after Harry suggested the King’s illness could lead to a reconciliation with his father in an interview with a US breakfast show.

Harry also said I “love my family” and that he was “grateful” to be able to spend time with his father when he flew back to the UK last week.

The duke’s whirlwind visit to see Charles for around 45 minutes prompted speculation the two men, estranged since the duke stepped down as a working royal, may be on the point of rebuilding their relationship.

In the interview, aired on Good Morning America, it was suggested a family illness could have a “re-unifying effect”, and when Harry was asked “is that possible in this case?” he replied: “Yeah, I’m sure.”

The duke and his wife Meghan are in Canada staging a number of events with Invictus competitors to mark a year to go until Harry’s Invictus Games, for wounded and sick veterans and military, is staged in the country.

They are being followed by a film crew led by Will Reeve, the son of the late Superman star Christopher Reeve, who interviewed Harry in the winter sports town of Whistler, which is hosting the 2025 Invictus Games alongside Vancouver.

Gesturing towards Invictus competitors, Harry added: “Throughout all these families I see it on a day-to-day basis, the strength of the family unit coming together.

“I think any illness, any sickness brings families together.”

Buckingham Palace has not given details about Charles’s cancer and Harry declined to divulge any information when asked about his “outlook” on the King’s health, replying “that stays between me and him”.

But he said he would be visiting his father in the future: “I’ve got other trips planned that would take me through the UK or back to the UK, so I’ll stop in and see my family as much as I can.”

Buckingham Palace declined to comment.