The Princess of Wales faced the “emotional strain” of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ongoing royal drama in the months leading up to her recent surgery.
Princess Kate is currently in hospital after undergoing planned abdominal surgery earlier this week.
Kensington Palace confirmed details of Kate’s hospital stay on Wednesday and stated that she is expected to remain in hospital for up to a fortnight.
Royal expert Dr Tessa Dunlop told the Mirror that, as one of the most popular royals, it is easy to forgot the amount of stress she has encountered over the last few months.
Stating that news of Kate’s hospital stay was met with a sense of surprise, Dr Dunlop spoke of the “immense pressure” often felt by Kate.
The expert said: “[She is] effortlessly glamorous, it is easy to forget that this mother-of-three has undergone immense pressure over the last few years with both the death of the late Queen and the departure of Harry and Meghan placing additional responsibilities on her shoulders.
“The emotional strain of constantly being in the public eye has been compounded by family drama and dysfunction in the wake of Harry and Meghan’s highly personal publications and interviews. Let’s hope that she factors in plenty of R&R.”
Speaking of Princess Kate’s three children, the expert added: “The Princess of Wales is a hands-on mother and for her three children a temporary gap will need to be filled – cue the Middleton grandparents in over-drive.”
The Palace shared in their statement, which was released on Wednesday, that the Princess of Wales will not take on any royal duties until “after Easter”.
Dr Dunlop added: “With a recuperation time of several months, Kate’s condition while thankfully not cancer, is serious, and it isn’t only family who will miss her.”
