Kate Middleton was admitted to a private London hospital on Tuesday to undergo “planned abdominal surgery,” Kensington Palace said in a statement Wednesday.
The procedure was successful, but the Princess of Wales is not expected to return to her public duties until April “based on the current medical advice.”
The royal, who turned 42 earlier this month, should remain at the London Clinic for 10 to 14 days, “before returning home to continue her recovery,” the statement noted, adding that she’s “unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”
The senior member of the British royal family said that while she appreciates the interest the announcement will generate, “she hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible,” according to the statement.
The princess also expressed her wishes to keep her personal medical information private.
“Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on her royal highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share,” the statement declared.
While Wednesday’s announcement didn’t offer any details on what condition was being treated, Kensington Palace officials confirmed to the BBC that it didn’t involve cancer.
However, based on Kate’s expected lengthy hospital stay, as well as “the tone of the statement issued by the palace,” the broadcaster said “it is clear … her medical condition is serious.”
News of Kate’s hospitalization came as a surprise to the British public and media. The princess maintained her full engagement schedule in December, giving no indication she was not feeling well while appearing in public.
“The Princess of Wales wishes to apologize 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,” Kensington Palace said.
After she’s discharged from the London Clinic, the princess is expected to recover at the family’s residence at Home Park in Windsor.
Mere hours after the news of Kate’s abdominal surgery was announced, Buckingham Palace notified the world that King Charles will also undergo treatment for a current condition.
“In common with thousands of men each year, the king has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate,” the palace announced. “His majesty’s condition is benign, and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure.”
The 75-year-old monarch is postponing a number of planned engagements, which is what led to the announcement. He’ll resume his duties after a “short period of recuperation,” the palace said.
Enlarged prostates are common among men over age 50 — hitting at least one in three of them — though the condition is “so common that it has been said all men will have an enlarged prostate if they live long enough,” according to U.S. government website Medline Plus.
The condition’s prevalence is what led King Charles to divulge his personal medical situation, which is not often done, the palace said. A royal source told People that the king shared the diagnosis partly as a way to encourage men to get checked if they experience symptoms.
