Kate was admitted to The London Clinic in Marylebone for the planned surgery (Image: Getty)
The Princess of Wales will miss royal duties for several weeks after abdominal surgery.
Kate was “doing well said aides, who emphasised that the operation after her admission on Tuesday has been a success.
They have not identified her condition but it is understood to be non-cancerous. The Princess, 42, will spend up to a fortnight in hospital and will not resume her official duties until after Easter.
Buckingham Palace officials separately revealed that the King is to be treated for an enlarged prostate in hospital next week.
The dramatic health announcements came within 90 minutes of each other yesterday, sparking concern about the number of remaining working royals.
Prince William is to take time out to be by Kate’s bedside and to look after their three children.
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His wife was admitted to The London Clinic in Marylebone for the planned surgery – insiders say her condition was not something that developed over the weekend.
Sources have indicated that Kate may decide to release more details about her surgery later. The future Queen’s diary has been cleared for months to allow for proper recovery time at her Windsor home.
William has postponed several weeks of engagements to support his family and is unlikely to resume duties until Kate is settled at home.
The couple’s planned international trips have been thrown into doubt, including their visit to Rome in the spring.
Soon after Kate’s health statement, inset right, Palace officials announced that the King will next week attend hospital where he will be treated with a “corrective procedure” for an enlarged prostate.
Aides disclosed that His Majesty’s condition is benign.
His engagements too will be postponed to allow for a short recuperation.
The sharing of such details of private health matters of the monarch is a break with tradition.
But it is understood the King was keen to share the details of his diagnosis to encourage men who may be experiencing symptoms to be checked in line with public health advice.
The King, 75, is expected to be well enough to pick up his official duties after his planned treatment, and Counsellors of State – members of the Royal Family who are able to deputise for the monarch – will not be needed.
Aides indicated that Charles’s announcement came soon after news about his daughter-in-law as Cabinet ministers and foreign dignitaries need enough notice for planned meetings to be postponed.
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He had a number of meetings in the schedule for today and tomorrow at Dumfries House, as he is currently staying in Scotland with Queen Camilla.
Kate is recovering from surgery in The London Clinic, said to be Britain’s most exclusive hospital.
Opened in 1932, its patients have in fact included royalty as well as world famous politicians and celebrities.
Prince Philip, Princess Margaret, US President John F Kennedy and Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor were all treated at the hospital on the edge of Regent’s Park – and Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron was born there in 1966.
The King was last pictured at Sunday service in Sandringham’s St Mary Magdalene Church, on January 7. Meanwhile Kate was most recently seen while walking to church on Christmas morning with the rest of the Royal Family. The Princess’s last official engagement was her annual carol service at Westminster on December 8.
Her surgery comes just more than a week after she celebrated her birthday.
It means Kate will have to miss a number of events including the Baftas next month, the annual Commonwealth Day service and the St David’s Day Parade at the start of March as well as the St Patrick’s Day parade with the armed forces later that month.
She is also unlikely to be able to support the King with engagements during traditional incoming state visits in the spring.
The Princess usually enjoys good health and is known for being fit and sporty. Last September she was spotted with two fingers strapped up as a precaution, after injuring herself on a trampoline.
She was admitted to hospital while pregnant after suffering with hyperemesis gravidarum – severe morning sickness.
As a child she had an operation which left her with a scar on her left temple under her hair.
Her parents Carole and Michael Middleton plus siblings Pippa and James are expected to rally round and help support her recovery.
The health updates about the King and Kate triggered an outpouring of support from politicians, celebrities and the public. But the twin announcements also sparked questions about the resulting reduced number of working royals.
The hospital procedures and subsequent recuperation mean three senior members of the family will not be able to carry out engagements for a number of weeks.
Royal commentator Afua Hagan said: “You don’t want to slim down the monarchy too much if you have a situation like this, then who is running the ship?” She suggested the Princess Royal plus the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will step in – and added that it might be time for Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice to be awarded senior roles.
Veteran royal observer Richard Fitzwilliams said: “A slimmed down monarchy isn’t really practical. There are only four working royals under 70.”
