Prince William jokes with British Red Cross staff about their 'very healthy' lunches and admits 'sometimes you want a burger' as he visits charity's London headquarters

• William met with British Red Cross staff members at the London headquarters
• READ MORE: Queen Camilla is delighted by Labrador puppies as she hosts reception for a charity training dogs to detect illnesses

The Prince of Wales shared a laugh with employees over their lunch choices at the British Red Cross’ London headquarters today.

Prince William, 41, visited the charity, which is playing a key humanitarian role in Gaza, after calling for fighting in the Israel-Hamas war to end ‘as soon as possible’.

In a new and impassioned statement today, he insisted ‘too many have been killed’ since Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October last year, just hours after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for an ‘immediate humanitarian ceasefire’.

During his trip to the charity, William lifted employees’ spirits and urged them to try and ‘keep it positive’.

The royal shared a joke with some workers eating their lunch about how healthy their meals were, and admitted ‘sometimes you want a burger’.

The Prince of Wales chatted with members of the fundraising team at The British Red Cross headquarters in London today

William approached the table and quickly observed the group’s lunch choices, which included sandwiches from Pret, and remarked: ‘You’re eating very healthy’. He joked: ‘Sometimes you want a burger’.

After a light-hearted note, the father-of-three encouraged staff to remain optimistic. ‘As long as you’re looking after yourselves well, keep it positive,’ he said.

The team later confirmed that despite their work’s heavy nature, they have continued to care for themselves.

The royal asked the table whether they all worked within the fundraising team, to which they replied yes.

‘How is fundraising going,’ he asked. To which one employee responded: ‘Really well, I mean there’s a lot of interest.’

Elsewhere, during the day, William met with Pascal Hundt, Senior Crisis Manager at the International Committee of the Red Cross, via a video call from Gaza.

It comes after William has made an unprecedented royal intervention into the Gaza conflict today by issuing a statement saying he feels ‘deeply concerned’ about its ‘human cost’ – and called for an end to the war.

Prince William, 41, visited the charity, which is playing a key humanitarian role in Gaza, after calling for fighting in the Israel-Hamas war to end ‘as soon as possible’.

In a new and impassioned statement today, Prince William (pictured) insisted ‘too many have been killed’ since Hamas ‘s terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October last year, just hours after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for an ‘immediate humanitarian ceasefire’

The father-of-three also met with Pascal Hundt (on the screen), Senior Crisis Manager at the Red Cross, via a video call

The Prince of Wales ramped up his family’s response to the Israel-Hamas war after he and wife Kate had earlier put out a joint statement of ‘distress’.

Tory MPs were wary of publicly criticising the heir to the throne over the intervention.

Andrew Percy, vice-chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on anti-semitism, told MailOnline: ‘The underlying principle of our constitutional monarchy is that members of the royal family do not engage in contentious political issues of the day on which there are divergent and strongly-held beliefs in this country.

‘Members of the royal family would do well to remember that.’

A former minister said: ‘I think that it is very unwise for him to get involved in an issue like this. He is getting some seriously bad advice. I can only assume that he has not been able to speak to the King, because he would certainly not have approved.’

The father-of-three maintained an optimistic outlook during the visit and chatted to a number of employees

The royal waved as he left the building, after chatting to employees about their charitable efforts

Another Tory MP said the Prince’s statement used ‘similar language as the Government’. But they suggested William had still been unwise to get involved in the issue as both sides would now pray him in aid.

‘I wonder how it will play out in the Opposition debate tomorrow,’ the MP said, referring to the looming SNP motion demanding an immediate ceasefire.

Reform UK party president Nigel Farage posted on X, formerly Twitter: ‘I’m not sure that our future King should be doing this. He should stick to the BAFTAs.’

William has been easing himself back into public engagements after taking time off to look after his wife who is recovering from abdominal surgery – yet his strident statement today gives a signal to his intentions when taking the throne.

The royal’s public remarks are the most outspoken by any member of the royal family since the Israel-Hamas war broke out – and come in stark contrast to the late Queen’s approach, when she would steer clear of commenting on political issues.

Prince William, pictured at the British Red Cross HQ in London today, released an impassioned statement in which he says ‘too many’ have been killed’ in the Gaza conflict

Prince William has today issued the royals’ strongest statement yet on the Gaza conflict

William – whose father Charles has been outspoken on environmental concerns – said today: ‘I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October. Too many have been killed.

READ MORE: Kate and Prince William condemn Hamas terror attacks on Israelis saying they are ‘profoundly distressed by the devastating events’

‘I, like so many others, want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible. There is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza. It’s critical that aid gets in and the hostages are released.

‘Sometimes it is only when faced with the sheer scale of human suffering that the importance of permanent peace is brought home.

‘Even in the darkest hour, we must not succumb to the counsel of despair. I continue to cling to the hope that a brighter future can be found and I refuse to give up on that.’

The strongly worded message was issued in white writing on a black background, under William’s cypher, on the Waleses’ X account.

Kensington Palace said: ‘The Prince and Princess were profoundly concerned by events that unfolded in late 2023 and continue to hold all the victims, their family and friends in their hearts and minds.

‘Their Royal Highnesses continue to share in the hope of a better future for all those affected.’

At the meeting with the British Red Cross today, the heir to the throne expressed his concern ‘as a father’ at the ongoing crisis and the immense loss of life in the Middle East.

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