Prince William is believed to be taking over the school runs while Princess Kate is in hospital. The Waleses have shifted their focus from “day job” to “family first”, a source claimed, as Catherine, 42, is expected to remain in the London Clinic for another week.
In the meantime, William, 41, has postponed all his imminent engagements until his wife is back on form.
The couple have previously shared the dropping off and picking up of their three children from school, but the heir to the throne will now be doing both.
He will reportedly be assisted at home by the couple’s nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.
A source told the Times that while the Waleses maintain their “unwavering commitment to duty”, their focus has changed to “100 percent family first, day job second”.
A royal source told the outlet: “The kids are always at the centre of their universe. That will continue to be the case. They want to make sure they have as much normality as possible going forwards.”
Catherine’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, will also be lending a helping hand.
William’s shift of gears into focusing on his children echoes that of his father, King Charles, who is believed to have done what he could to be a hands-on presence for William and Harry when they were young.
Charles is understood to have scheduled his diary to make sure he was back in time for their bath and bedtime.
When she has left hospital, Kate will return to her home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, and not resume her royal duties until around Easter time as she recovers.
It will represent quite a change of pace for the Princess, who is usually busy with school runs, meetings and calls in Windsor or Kensington Palace with her private office, Royal Foundation team and charities and patronages, and official engagements.
Kensington Palace has already confirmed it has contacted the Princess’ 30 charities and patronages to postpone all events for the time being.
The announcement of Kate’s operation came on the same day that Buckingham Palace revealed King Charles will be treated for a benign enlarged prostate. The 75-year-old’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation, the Palace said.
PR experts told Express.co.uk the double announcement was likely done to minimise the public impression of Kate’s more serious condition.
A statement from Kensington Palace on its social media pages read: “Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery was successful and it is expected she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery.
“Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to 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 normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.”
