The Princess of Wales has not been seen in public since attending the royal family’s Christmas Day church service at Sandringham with her children.
Kate’s 23-day absence is notable after Kensington Palace announced today that she had successfully undergone planned abdominal surgery.
She was admitted to the London Clinic in Marylebone yesterday for the planned procedure and is expected to remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days.
The palace said the princess, 42, is unlikely to resume royal duties before Easter.
On Christmas Day, Kate beamed as she walked past well-wishers while holding hands with Princess Charlotte.
Adding a touch of glamor to the festive look, she paid a sweet tribute to her mother-in-law by wearing a pair of Princess Diana earrings.
She has worn the dazzling earrings on a number of high-profile occasions.
The Princess of Wales looked effortlessly chic as she attended the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham with Prince William, the King and the rest of the royal family.
Kate, 41, has not been seen in public since the service. Today it was announced that she had successfully undergone a planned abdominal operation
Princess Diana’s ‘The Saudi Suite’ set, a wedding gift from Crown Prince Fahd, includes a sapphire watch, earrings, bracelet, ring and necklace.
When William gave them to Kate after their engagement in 2010, she also put her own stamp on them and transformed them into modest earrings.
Kate, who has been known to wear the same clothes in different colors, also owns a green version of the Alexander McQueen coat, which she wore on a trip to Boston.
She paired the look with a festive fascinator, a navy blue polo collar and a midi pleated skirt.
Hundreds of well-wishers queued in the early hours of Christmas Day to catch a glimpse of the royals, and waved excitedly as Charles and Camilla made their way to church.
After being released from hospital, the future queen will return to Windsor in Berkshire to continue her recovery with the support of her family. It is clear that her condition is not cancerous.
The princess is likely to be advised to recover for two to three months, and her return to official duties will depend on medical advice closer to the time.
Kate is not expected to return to public events until after Easter, and her husband Prince William will be by his wife and children’s side throughout.
Beautiful in blue! Kate looked effortlessly chic in the blue number on Christmas Day
Kate, Charlotte, George, William and Louis at the service on Christmas Day 2023 at Sandringham
Kate arrived for the Royal Christmas Carol Concert at Westminster Abbey on December 8 last year
Kensington Palace announced today that the Princess of Wales has undergone abdominal surgery
The Prince will therefore postpone a number of appointments to support his family and will not take on any official duties while his wife is in hospital.
He will also not perform any official duties in the period immediately following Kate’s return home. Royal officials will provide a revised schedule for William in due course.
Neither William nor Kate will travel internationally in the coming months, and royal officials said they would provide updates on her recovery as needed.
William and Kate were said to be planning a high-profile visit to Rome this spring as part of a European charm offensive, but that is now in doubt.
A palace spokesperson said at 2pm today: ‘Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to the London Clinic yesterday for a planned abdominal operation.
‘The operation was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on current medical advice, it is unlikely that she will resume her public duties until after Easter.
“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normalcy as possible for her children; and her desire for her personal medical information to remain private.
‘Kensington Palace will therefore only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’s progress if there is important new information to share.
Kate was admitted to the London Clinic (pictured) yesterday for a planned abdominal operation
“The Princess of Wales would like to apologize to everyone involved for having to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to hiring as many people as possible again as soon as possible.”
Royal expert Phil Dampier tweeted: ‘Wishing the Princess of Wales a speedy recovery after abdominal surgery. “We don’t know the details but it was clear this was serious as she will be in hospital for 14 days and need up to three months to recover.”
And the Queen’s former press secretary Dickie Arbiter said on X: ‘I’m sure I speak for everyone in wishing HRH a speedy recovery.’
The London Clinic, located on the corner of Devonshire Place and Marylebone Road in central London, is Britain’s largest independent private hospital.
