Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has undergone a planned abdominal surgery at a private hospital in London, a statement released by Kensington Palace has revealed.

The wife of Prince William, and future queen, had a successful operation on Tuesday 16 January, but will need to remain in hospital for between 10 and 14 days.

The procedure was carried out at the London Clinic, in Marylebone, close to Regents Park. The facility describes itself as the UK’s largest independent private hospital.

The palace did not disclose any further details surrounding the treatment that the Princess received, but did divulge that her condition was not cancer related.

It would however appear that there is an element of seriousness attached, measured against the tone of the statement and the period of time given for her extended stay in the clinic. The majority of minor operations allow the patient to be discharged within a day or two of the surgery.

It is understood that the Prince of Wales will not be carrying out any official duties while the princess is in hospital, and once she is allowed to leave he is also believed to be intending to postpone many of his engagements.

This will enable him to help her recovery at home in Windsor, as well as caring for the couple’s three children: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five.

Kensington Palace indicated it would only provide updates when there is relevant new information to share with the public.

24-hour delay on statement

Although the surgery took place on Tuesday (16th), Kensington Palace waited 24 hours before making the announcement. They released a statement in which they said that the surgery which the Princess had received, had been a success but she would be required to remain in the hospital for up to two weeks, before returning home to continue her recovery.

Princess unlikely to be seen before Easter

The official communication went on to say that the princess is aware of the interest her surgery will generate and hopes that the public “will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible”.

It went on to say that it is the wish of the princess that her personal medical information remains private and also passed on Kate’s apologies for the need for her to postpone upcoming engagements, clarifying that she was looking forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible, but: “based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”

The surgery is understood to have been routine, but it is thought that her recuperation will require between two and three months.

Last seen in public on Christmas Day

There had been no sign of any health issues when the Princess fulfilled a full diary throughout December, although her last public appearance was actually on Christmas Day, when she joined other members of the royal family for their annual walk to the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, on the Sandringham estate.

William out of public eye too

She hadn’t returned to royal duty since the turn of the new year, but neither had William until he surprised rugby league legends Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield at Headingley Stadium in Leeds, to present the pair with their CBE’s which they had been awarded in the New Year Honours List for their fund-raising, on behalf of motor neurone disease.

Windsor for recouperation

The Prince and Princess of Wales relocated to Windsor with their three children in 2022 from their previous London base, and once she is discharged from the clinic, that is where she is expected to stay and be cared for for the majority of her recovery. It is understood that William will remain with her, and as a consequence, step back from several of his engagements.

The palace also confirmed that neither of the royal couple would be taking part in any overseas assignments for the foreseeable future, and that Kate will only return to her royal duties when medical advice indicates it is safe to do so.

Recent birthday

Kate turned 42 just over a week ago, with the official social media accounts of the monarchy sharing previously unseen behind-the-scenes photos of the princess at the king’s coronation last year.