Following a successful abdominal surgery, the 42-year-old Princess of Wales is now in the hospital, Kensington Palace said on Wednesday.
The palace released the following statement: “Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”
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“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. 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.”
“Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.”
“The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.”
It is acknowledged that Prince William has rescheduled his diary in order to support his wife and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and that Catherine’s illness is not cancerous.
It’s improbable that the Waleses will travel abroad in the upcoming months as the Princess is anticipated to recuperate at her Windsor home with her family.
According to earlier reports, William and Catherine were scheduled to make an official trip to Italy this spring.
This is in line with Buckingham Palace’s confirmation that King Charles will be treated in a hospital for an enlarged prostate. Charles will undergo a corrective procedure, according to the Palace, which stated that his condition was benign.
Christmas Day at Sandringham with their three kids was Prince William and Catherine’s final joint activity.
The Princess turned 42 on January 9th, and to commemorate the occasion, King Charles and Queen Camilla shared a never-before-seen picture of Catherine.
Last week, the Prince resumed his royal duties by giving rugby players Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield CBEs at Leeds’ Headingley Stadium while the students from Wales went back to class at Lambrook School.
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Former royal patients of the London Clinic include the late Duke of Edinburgh, who was brought in for “abdominal investigations” in 2013.
In 1980, the clinic performed surgery on the late Princess Margaret in order to remove a benign skin lesion.
After the palace released the statement, William and Catherine’s official Instagram page was deluged with supportive comments.
Giovanni Fletcher, who has had multiple encounters with the Princess, was one of the well-wishers. “Sending love! Xx,” she wrote. Fearne Cotton, the presenter, added two heart emojis in the interim.
Although Catherine is generally in good health, she was hospitalised during her pregnancy due to hyperemesis gravidarum, or extreme morning sickness.
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Emily Nash, Royal Editor of HELLO!, says: “Most of us were expecting the Princess to be back in action soon because she has a full schedule of engagements scheduled. This has come as a shock.”
“It implies that Kate is unlikely to return to work before Easter and that neither she nor William will be performing public duties in the upcoming weeks. Many diary events are being rescheduled because William wants to spend as much time as possible with their kids and by her side until she returns home.
“Obviously everyone wishes her well and is hoping for a speedy recovery.”
