Britain's Princess of Wales remains in hospital after abdominal surgery, with sources saying she is “doing well” but will spend up to three months recovering.
Kate was admitted on Tuesday for the successful, planned procedure but is expected to stay in the private London Clinic for 10-14 days before returning to her Adelaide Cottage home in Windsor.
The Prince of Wales is to take time off, stepping back from all official duties for several weeks, while he juggles looking after their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis with caring for his wife.
Meanwhile, King Charles is preparing for a corrective procedure after being diagnosed with a benign enlarged prostate.
Buckingham Palace, in an unprecedented double royal health scare, announced the news just an hour and a half after Kensington Palace revealed Kate’s operation.
The 75-year-old monarch, who acceded to the throne 16 months ago, will be admitted to hospital next week.
He was said to be keen to go public with his condition to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked.
One in every three men over the age of 50 will have symptoms of an enlarged prostate including needing to visit the toilet more frequently, with more urgency and have difficulty emptying their bladder.
Charles is staying at Birkhall in Aberdeenshire with his wife Camilla but the Palace has not confirmed whether he will be treated in London or Scotland.
He is said to be in touch with the Waleses, with a source describing them as a “close family”.
Kate also has a strong bond with her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and siblings Pippa Matthews and James Middleton, and the family, who live nearby in Berkshire, will be on hand to support her recovery.
The nature of the princess’s condition has not been revealed although Kensington Palace confirmed it was not cancerous.
It is serious enough, however, for heir to the throne William to be postponing official duties while his wife is in hospital and in the immediate aftermath while she recuperates, devoting his time to his family.
The princess is not expected to return to public duties until after Easter based on current medical advice, Kensington Palace said.
William was looking after George (10), Charlotte (8), and five-year-old Louis on Wednesday evening.
The royal youngsters were at school all day and are yet to visit their mother in hospital.
Media descended on the London Clinic in Marylebone, with photographers, journalists and broadcasters awaiting news behind barriers on the opposite side of the road.
A spokesperson said the princess wanted to share news of her surgery to explain to those affected by the postponement of her engagements.
“She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private,” they added.
“Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.”
A statement from Kensington Palace pic.twitter.com/6h3BCrqj5L
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) January 17, 2024
There will now be no international travel for the prince and princess in the coming months.
Kate usually enjoys good health but was previously admitted to hospital while pregnant after suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum – severe morning sickness.
The London Clinic was chosen to care for Kate this time, rather than King Edward VII’s Hospital which is usually the go-to establishment for royal medical matters and where she was admitted in 2012.
Like the rest of the royal family, the princess has had a busy, turbulent past couple of years, with the Platinum Jubilee and the late Queen’s death in 2022, and the coronation in 2023, as well as adjusting to her new role as the Princess of Wales.
The Waleses also faced the ongoing rift between William and his brother the Duke of Sussex, with Harry making controversial claims about Charles, Camilla, William and Kate in his Netflix documentary and memoir Spare.
Charles had a series of meetings and events planned at Dumfries House in East Ayrshire on Thursday and Friday, which have been postponed on his doctor’s advice.
