Prince Williamis expressing his gratitude to well-wishers as his wife,Kate Middleton, recovers fromabdominal surgeryand his father,King Charles, receivestreatment for cancer.

The Prince of Wales, 41, gave a speech atLondon’s Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinneron Wednesday, hisfirst day back on royal dutyin nearly a month due to his family’s health scares.

DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty

Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales delivers a speech during the London’s Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner at The OWO in central London, on February 7, 2024.

“Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for being here tonight,” he began. “And thank you to all those whose hard work has made this evening possible.”

“I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days,” William continued. “It means a great deal to us all.”

Keeping the mood light, Prince William quipped, “It’s fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather ‘medical’ focus. So I thought I’d come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all!”

Prince William attends London Air Ambulance Charity Gala on Feb. 7, 2024.Chris Jackson/Getty

Prince William, The Prince Of Wales smiles as he attends London’s Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner, where he will meet crew members, former patients and supporters, before delivering a short speech on February 07, 2024 in London, England

Chris Jackson/Getty

Prince William attends London’s Air Ambulance Charity Gala on Feb. 7, 2024.DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty

Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales delivers a speech during the London’s Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner at The OWO in central London, on February 7, 2024.

Prince William specifically appealed to a special guest at the event:Tom Cruise.

“I should also take this opportunity to give a mention to my — our — fellow pilot, Tom Cruise,” the royal said. “Tom, huge thanks for supporting us tonight. And Tom, if you wouldn’t mind not borrowing either of the new helicopters for the nextMission Impossible, it would be appreciated. We have all seen on our screens that — how can I put it — you seem to have a different take on ‘normal wear and tear’ to the rest of us. It’s not the kind that buffs out.”

Prince Williampreviously met the actoron several occasions, most recently at the London premiere ofTop Gun: Maverickin May 2022 alongside Princess Kate.

Tom Cruise and Prince William attend London Air Ambulance Charity Gala on Feb. 7, 2024.DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty

Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales poses for a photo with US actor Tom Cruise at the London Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner at The OWO in central London, on February 7, 2024.

As a former air ambulance pilot in East Anglia, Prince William is passionate about supporting the emergency services. He has been a patron of London’s Air Ambulance for four years and took to the air in one of the organization’s helicopters to mark the 30th anniversary of the service.

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Prince William attends London Air Ambulance Charity Gala on Feb. 7, 2024.DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty

Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales talks with Air Ambulance Pilots, Doctors and Paramedics as he attends the London Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner at The OWO in central London, on February 7, 2024.

Earlier this week, King Charles, 75, revealed the news of his cancer diagnosis and treatment, which will keep him largely out of the public eye for the foreseeable future.

As heir to the throne, Prince Williammay undertake some duties on behalf of his fatherin addition to his own diary of engagements in the coming weeks, PEOPLE understands. There are currently no plans toappoint Counsellors of State, members of the royal family who cancarry out constitutional duties for the monarchif he is abroad or unwell, to act on King Charles’ behalf, and the monarch will continue to perform his duties behind the scenes.

“William will do his best, but the King will want to carry on with his duties as best he can,” a source close to the royal householdtells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story.

source: people.com