The palace is making a rare statement aboutKate Middleton’s recovery fromabdominal surgeryafter the Princess of Wales became the subject ofonline speculationin recent days.
A spokesperson for Princess Kate said, “We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter and Kensington Palace would only be providing updates when something was significant.”
The spokesperson reiterated the princess, 42, is “doing well.”
Kate Middleton attends the Shaping Us National Symposium on Nov. 15, 2023.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
In the initial statement about her surgery released on Jan. 17, one day after the operation, Kensington Palace said it was Princess Kate’s “wish that her personal medical information remains private.”
The palace added that they would “only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.”
They also shared the expected timeline for her recovery, including a 10 to 14-day stay in the hospital post-surgery (she ended upleaving on Jan. 29, 13 days after the procedure) and a continued period of recovery at home with no return to public duties until after Easter.
Kate Middleton attends Christmas mass on Dec. 25, 2023.Stephen Pond/Getty
Stephen Pond/Getty
“It is sensible to take the time,” a source close to the royal householdtold PEOPLE. “That is a great example to the rest of us, as you’re often told to get back to work as soon as possible, which can be damaging. It is good for all of us to see her taking the time, recovering properly and then coming back. We can all learn from that."
While Princess Kate has spent most of her recovery at their home in Windsor, shetraveled to Anmer Hall, her and Prince William’s home on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, with their three children while they were on a school break in February.
“Catherine is recovering well,” a source toldthe Daily Mailat the time. “She was looking forward to a change of scene and will be able to take it easy in Norfolk while the children let off steam with William.”
Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William, Prince Louis and Mia Tindall on Christmas 2023.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage
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Kate’s absence from public view is in stark contrast toKing Charles, who has faced his own health battles in recent weeks. The monarch, 75, underwent a procedure to treat an enlarged prostate in January andrevealed his cancer diagnosison Feb. 5 (his cancer is understood to not be prostate cancer, however). While he has not made public outings, he has been seengoing to churchwith Queen Camilla, sharing statements as he works behind the scenes and evenappearing in a videowhere he read letters from well-wishers.
Meanwhile,Princess Kate chose discretion.
“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,” the palace’s initial statement on her surgery said. “Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.”
Kate Middleton attends Buckingham Palace reception on Dec. 6, 2023.Jonathan Brady / POOL / AFP
Jonathan Brady / POOL / AFP
Princess Kate’s surgery comes after abusy Decemberfor the royal.
On Dec. 5, she pulleddouble dutywith a morning hospital visit andevening reception at Buckingham Palace. Katehosted her third annual Christmas concertat Westminster Abbey on Dec. 8, which highlighted her “Shaping Us” early childhood campaign in its first year.
Her final appearance before the surgerycame on Christmaswhen she joined members of the royal family for their annual church outing.
source: people.com
