Her Royal Highness Kate Middleton recently made headlines after being hospitalized. The Royal Family has since given an update about when the senior royal member would resume her duties.
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, was admitted to The London Clinic in Marylebone on January 16, 2024, the Royal Family recently revealed on their Instagram page.
Police officers stand guard outside the London Clinic on January 18, 2024 in London. | Source: Getty Images
According to the palace, Middleton, who also bears a huge visible scar on her head, was hospitalized for abdominal surgery, which was a success.
Kate Middleton speaks to guests at an event in support of the “In Kind Direct” charity at Clarence House on October 26, 2011 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The senior royal member is expected to remain in the hospital for “ten to fourteen days before returning home to continue her recovery,” they wrote, adding:
“Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”
Middleton, whose condition is reportedly “not cancerous,” hopes to maintain normalcy during these times for the sake of her children and wishes that her personal medical information be kept private.
Kate Middleton during a visit to the Ukrainian Cultural Centre on March 9, 2022 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Kate Middleton arrives to officially open the Young V&A ahead of its opening to the public on June 28, 2023 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
As such, Kensington Palace will only share updates on the royal’s progress when there is important information to be shared with the general public.
Kate Middleton during her visit to Vsi Razom Community Hub, in the Lexicon Shopping Centre, on October 4, 2023 in Bracknell, England. | Source: Getty Images
On behalf of the Princess of Wales, Kensington Palace issued an apology “to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements.”
Middleton, who previously revealed that she had “very bad morning sickness” during her first pregnancy, is said to look forward to continuing with many more public engagements much sooner.
Kate Middleton watches an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The Royal Family’s Instagram followers commented on the post, sending their well wishes to Middleton while adding that they are keeping her in their prayers.
“Sending love and prayers to the Princess of Wales. Hoping for a speedy recovery,” wrote one person. Another echoed, “Our prayers are for the Princess of Wales to heal quickly and suffer little very pain[sic].”
Kate Middleton viewing floral tributes at the entrance to Sandringham House on September 15, 2022 in Sandringham, England. | Source: Getty Images
“Praying for a speedy recovery,” someone else penned. While one other follower commented, “God bless you, Princess Catherine, we love you. Feel better soon.” “Thinking of Her Royal Highness Princess of Wales today. Sending prayers and hugs and healing vibes for your family,” said another.
Kate Middleton arrives at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon on July 4, 2023 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
A medical expert, Dr. Zoe Williams, has reportedly commented on the Princess of Wales’ medical condition. “This might be something that has been bothering her for her whole life, which she has not got round to resolving or an issue that has come to light more recently,” she said. Williams further noted that Middleton’s two-week stay at the hospital is a much longer period than one would expect.
Kate Middleton arrives to officially open the Young V&A ahead of its opening to the public on June 28, 2023 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Another expert, Dr. Deborah Lee, weighed in on the royal’s stay in the hospital. According to her, most patients who undergo surgery for abdominal surgery only stay at the hospital for four to seven days, which can be reduced to two to four days following a keyhole procedure known as laparoscopic surgery.
Lee explained it all depends on what type of procedure is performed and that it could take two months or more for the patient to be comfortable again and be phyiscally active.
Meanwhile, the royal’s longtime husband, Prince William, will also step away from his royal duties and postpone his trips to be by her side during her recovery and spend time with their children.
Prince William, (obscured) and Kate Middleton at a ceremonial welcome for The President and the First Lady of the Republic of Korea at Horse Guards Parade on November 21, 2023 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The royal couple shares three kids: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, who recently returned to school after a holiday break. Middleton previously expressed that she wanted to take time off her royal duties in order to spend more time with her kids during school closures.
Prince Louis, Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William watch a flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Color on June 2, 2022 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The mother of three and the heir to the British throne are known for their hands-on approach when parenting their children. They both have active roles in caring for their sons and their only daughter.
That said, it would reportedly not be much of a hassle for the Prince to juggle parenthood with his official duties because he typically does that often. Fatherhood for Prince William is of the utmost importance.
He reportedly has what he considers one paramount duty: training his eldest child, Prince George, who is set to take the reins one day as the King of England, being second in the line of succession.
An insider claimed that the father of three and his wife are considered normal parents who actively participate in events at their children’s schools. They reportedly never miss an occasion at Lambrook School in Berkshire, where their kids are enrolled.
The pair participate in all important activities at their kids’ school, and it has been public knowledge that the Princess of Wales does the school run daily.
A source claimed Middleton, who recently turned 42, and Prince William, 41, low-key slip into school events, including carol concerts, and are always present, ensuring their schedules can accommodate special occasions.
“The day after Kate’s carol service [at Westminster Abbey], it was the school Christmas fair, and they were all there, as they were the previous year. I saw them queueing up for tombola tickets like everyone else. They really act like a normal mum and dad,” the source revealed.
Now that Middleton’s recent hospitalization has put things on a halt regarding work, two upcoming international trips have reportedly been removed from the family’s schedule already.
Kate Middleton attends the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph on November 12, 2023 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The Prince and Princess of Wales had reportedly planned on visiting Rome later in the year but have had to cancel their tours. Their Rome trip was announced in December 2023. It was supposed to mark their first trip overseas on behalf of the Government as the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Middleton and Prince William’s last public appearance together with their kids was on the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas Day church outing on December 25, 2023.
Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William, and Prince Louis attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2023 in Sandringham, Norfolk. | Source: Getty Images
The royal couple had a full year in 2023 with their numerous appearances. In December 2023, they shared a clip showing them at their public engagements throughout the year and captioned it, “Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our year.”
In addition to the news of the Princess of Wales’ medical condition being made public, Buckingham Palace also announced that another senior member of the Royal Family, King Charles III, would undergo surgery.
Prince Louis, Kate Middleton and King Charles III attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2023 in Sandringham, Norfolk. | Source: Getty Images
The family patriarch is set to go to the hospital next week to receive treatment for an enlarged prostate. Although King Charles’ condition is reportedly benign, he will undergo a “corrective procedure.”
Much like the Prince and Princess of Wales, the palace revealed that His Royal Highness’ public engagements will also be postponed for a short while until he recovers. The news of King Charles’ upcoming operation came shortly after news of his daughter-in-law was made public – which is reportedly uncommon for medical updates about two senior royals to be released on the same day.
However, this was an exception, seeing that the 75-year-old had to cancel his engagements for January 18, 2024. He was set to meet foreign dignitaries and cabinet members in Scotland.
Notably, the health updates of two senior royals are rarely disclosed to the public, so it was of great significance that there were two updates on two different figures from the Royal Family released on the same day. Buckingham Palace seldom shares updates on health issues affecting the family members and often reveals limited information once it does disclose public updates.
Most importantly, King Charles willingly shared details of his medical condition to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to go for checkups. Benign prostate enlargement is considered non-cancerous and is reportedly common in men over 50.
While it is regarded as harmless, it can cause symptoms and problems such as having trouble passing urine or emptying the bladder. Still, it does not necessarily mean the patient has a high chance of developing prostate cancer. There are reportedly several ways to deal with the condition, which include surgery, steam treatment, and lasers.
