17 January 2024 , 15:11
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Prince William is stepping back from official duties while Kate Middleton remains in hospital and during the immediate days after.
The Princess of Wales is being treated in hospital after undergoing successful abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace revealed today.
Kate, 42, was admitted to The London Clinic on Tuesday for the planned procedure. The future Queen is set to remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days before returning home to continue her recovery.
The Princess is likely to spend between two and three months recuperating and is not expected to return to public duties until after Easter based on current medical advice, the Palace said.
Kate Middleton had abdominal surgery today (Getty Images)Because of this, Prince William will not be undertaking official duties in the next few weeks, as he combines being at Kate's side with caring for their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
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There will now be no international travel for the Prince and Princess in the coming months - with some royal trips set to be postponed following the announcement this afternoon.
The couple were thought to have been planning a trip to Rome, but this is in doubt, while it's uncertain if Prince William will attend the BAFTAs, an event he normally attends alongside Kate.
It would have been the couple's inaugural trip on the Government's behalf as the Prince and Princess of Wales. This is because of a technicality as last year's trip to Boston for Prince William's Earthshot Prize was taken as a personal initiative.
The Palace refused to confirm what Kate was being treated for but confirmed the condition was non-cancerous.
Kensington Palace said Kate will recover at the family home (Twitter)Kate is close to her family, and her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and sibling Pippa Matthews and James Middleton are set to rally round and help support her recovery at the Waleses' home in Windsor. A spokesperson said: "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."