In a departure from her usual January routine of diving back into royal duties after the holidays, this year saw Princess Kate and Prince William maintaining a notably low profile in the first weeks of 2024. Following a busy December and a Christmas appearance with the royal family, the couple’s subdued presence raised eyebrows.
The palace revealed on Jan. 17 that the 42-year-old Princess of Wales had undergone planned abdominal surgery the day before. She spent nearly two weeks in the hospital before being discharged for home recovery, with a plan to return to public engagements after Easter.
Concerns about Kate’s well-being escalated after Prince William unexpectedly pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather. This fueled speculation and conspiracy theories online, despite assurances from a palace that Kate was “continuing to do well” in her recovery. It’s been disclosed that the issue was non-cancerous.
Kate’s absence contrasts sharply with King Charles, who is facing his own health challenges. The 75-year-old monarch underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate last month and disclosed his cancer diagnosis on Feb. 5 (though not prostate cancer). Despite not making public appearances, he’s been seen attending church with Queen Camilla, releasing statements, and even appearing in a video reading letters from well-wishers.
Details about Princess Kate’s recovery and her decision to stay out of the public eye remain limited.
Princess Kate Quietly Returns Home to Windsor for Recovery Following Surgery
After initially indicating that Princess Kate would spend 10 to 14 days in the hospital following her surgery, she quietly left on Jan. 29, exactly 13 days later.
In a statement, Kensington Palace announced, “The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress. The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided. The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.”
The royal returned to her residence at Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate, where she will primarily focus on her recovery until at least the end of March, according to the palace.
“It is sensible to take the time,” remarked a source close to the royal household. “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.”
During an investiture ceremony on Feb. 7, Prince William shared that his wife was being cared for by two “amazing and kind” nurses.
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Royal Medical Privacy
King Charles openly shared details about both his treatment for an enlarged prostate and his battle with cancer. However, Princess Kate opted for discretion.
In the initial announcement regarding her surgery, the palace conveyed that Kate expressed her desire for her personal medical details to remain confidential.
Furthermore, the palace stated that updates on Her Royal Highness’ recovery would only be provided when there are notable developments to share.
Royal Family Prioritizes Normalcy for Children
Princess Kate emphasized her desire to maintain normalcy for Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis during her surgery and recovery. In a statement from Kensington Palace, it was expressed, “The Princess of Wales understands the interest this statement will attract. She hopes the public will respect her wish to preserve as much routine for her children as possible.”
Prince William showed his support by canceling his royal duties to assist his wife and children.
“They’re a very close-knit family, and he wants to be there for them,” shared Robert Hardman, author of The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy. “Much of their approach with the kids is about keeping life normal and not treating them like they’re in a privileged bubble.”
Prince Charles was expected to take on childcare responsibilities alongside the children’s longtime nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, assisting with school drop-offs and pickups.
“They’re a modern royal couple,” added Hardman. “In the past, there might have been more reliance on staff. He doesn’t want to delegate everything to the nanny.”
Also Read:- Prince William Withdraws from Memorial for Godfather Due to Family Health Concerns
Prince William Returns to Royal Duties
After a period of absence during Princess Kate’s hospitalization and subsequent home recovery, the Prince of Wales resumed his royal duties. On February 7, he hosted an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle and later attended the London Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner. In a speech during the event, Prince William expressed gratitude for the support shown to both Catherine and his father in recent days, saying, “Thank you for the kind messages of support for Catherine and my father, especially in recent days. It means a great deal to us all.”
Injecting some humor, Prince William lightened the mood by joking, “The past few weeks have had a rather ‘medical’ focus, so I thought I’d come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all!”
A friend of Prince William shared, “He is coping remarkably well considering his wife had surgery and he only found out his father’s news recently.”
During his children’s school break, Prince William spent time with them and Kate in Norfolk. Since then, he has visited the headquarters of the British Red Cross, hosted another investiture ceremony, and attended the BAFTAs.
At the British equivalent of the Oscars, Prince William apologized for Catherine’s absence, stating, “I’m sorry Catherine’s not here. She does love the BAFTAs.” He also mentioned being preoccupied with other matters, quipping, “I haven’t seen all of the year’s nominees as I had other things on my mind.”
Princess Kate’s Recovery Retreat
The Princess of Wales headed to Anmer Hall, the Norfolk residence on the Sandringham estate belonging to her and Prince William, during their children’s February school break.
According to a source, “Catherine is progressing positively in her recovery. She welcomed the opportunity for a change of environment and plans to relax in Norfolk while the children enjoy time with William.”
Princess Kate’s Recovery Timeline and Easter Attendance Speculation
The palace’s initial statement regarding the Princess of Wales’ surgery and recuperation stated, “Following current medical guidance, her return to public duties is not anticipated until after Easter.”
While it’s uncertain if Kate will participate in late March, it’s customary for the royal family to attend church on Easter. Last year marked the first appearance of the Prince and Princess of Wales as a family of five at the event, with their youngest child, Prince Louis, making his Easter debut.
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