Prince William to Return to Royal Duties for First Time Since Kate Middleton’s Cancer Revelation

Prince William is stepping out later this week for his first official duty since wife Kate Middleton announced her cancer diagnosis.

The Prince of Wales, 41, has been helping look after the couple’s three children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, while they are on school vacation, and caring for Princess Kate, 42, as she undergoes her treatment.

When Kate made her announcement, sources told PEOPLE that William would return to public royal duties after the children returned to school (term starts on Wednesday, April 17) in a balanced, measured way, tempered by the needs of Kate and his family.

On Thursday, April 18, he will do this by highlighting the work of community and environmental organizations in southwest London and Surrey, his office at Kensington Palace announced early on Tuesday. William will begin the day in Sunbury-on-Thames to see how a food distribution charity called Surplus to Supper delivers, sorts and re-packages unused food to community groups.

The events mark William’s first outing since Kate’s shocking video message on March 22, in which she revealed she was having cancer treatment. The family left Windsor for their Easter vacation shortly afterward and were not with the other members of the royal family as they celebrated Easter Sunday at Windsor on March 31.

In her video message announcing her health news Kate said that her husband of nearly 13 years was “a great source of comfort and reassurance.”

“This is about supporting her and her feeling supported. It is a joint effort. She doesn’t feel isolated at all,” a family friend told PEOPLE.