The Princess of Wales has not been seen in public since Christmas Day, with Kensington Palace announcing in mid-January that she had underwent abdominal surgery, requiring a prolonged absence from royal duties while she convalesced.
The tentative “after Easter” deadline was initially given for Kate's expected return to official appearances, meaning she would miss several high-profile events marking the start of the new year.
Although the palace's timeline was clarified in its first statement about the princess's condition, the cause of the operation was not revealed. No further updates will be given unless there is “significant” new information to share, the statement added.
In the two months since her last appearance, social media and the press have generated more and more talk about Kate, where she is and how she is doing. This has included conspiracy theories, conjecture and misinformation.
Here, News week examines everything we know for sure about Kate's health, as Kensington Palace relayed.
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Planned abdominal surgery
After an unusual period of absence in early January 2024 (usually a busy period for working members of the royal family), Kensington Palace announced on January 17 that the Princess of Wales had underwent “planned” abdominal surgery a day earlier at the London Clinic.
The cause of the operation and the name of the surgeon have not been revealed. The palace stressed that the procedure was “successful” and that Kate was expected to remain under surveillance in hospital for up to two weeks.
The palace statement said Kate is not expected to return to public duties until Easter, which this year falls on Sunday March 31.
They also said the princess's “wish” was for her personal medical information to remain “private.”
Kensington Palace Statement – January 17, 2024
“Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to the London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The operation was successful and she is expected to remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her According to current medical advice, it is unlikely that she will return to public duties before Easter.
“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality as possible for her children and her wish for her personal medical information to remain private.
“Kensington Palace will therefore only provide updates on Her Royal Highness's progress when there is significant new information to share.
“The Princess of Wales would like to apologize to all concerned for having to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.”
Make good progress
After 14 days in hospital, Kate was released on January 29, with Kensington Palace announcing that she had left to continue her convalescence at the family home in Wales in Windsor.
In 2022, Kate and Prince William moved with their three children to Adelaide Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle. The chalet is within the protected security setting of the large castle grounds and is therefore inaccessible to the public and photographers, making it an ideally private setting.
The palace also said Kate continued to “make good progress” and died thanks to her medical team and well-wishers.
Kensington Palace Statement – January 29, 2024
“The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress.
“The Prince and Princess would like to send a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, in particular the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they provided.
“The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.”
Well, but no “comment in progress”
On February 27, speculation about Kate's health and recovery arose on social media after Prince William. canceled his planned appearance at a memorial service for his godfatherKing Constantine II of Greece, citing a “personal reason”.
The palace declined requests for clarification, but was urged to double down on its previous stance that Kate continued to do well. He reiterated that no “comment in progress” on the princess would be provided.
With this, it is understood that the “after Easter” estimate of Kate's potential return to public life is still in effect, meaning she is not expected to be seen for at least another month.
Kensington Palace to News week– February 29, 2024
“As we have made clear since our initial statement in January, we will not provide ongoing commentary or daily updates.”
James Crawford-Smith is News weekThe Royal London Reporter, based in London. You can find it on X (formerly Twitter) has @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on News weekIt is The Royals Facebook page.
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Uncommon knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.