Princess Kate, the Princess of Wales, has returned home after undergoing a surprise abdominal surgery last week. The surgery, described by royal experts as “major”, has raised questions about Kate’s health and what led to this sudden operation.
Kate Discharged From Hospital After Week-Long Stay
Kate was admitted to King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London last Monday for the procedure. The surgery was announced suddenly, taking even close friends and royal insiders by surprise.
Very little information was provided by the Palace during Kate’s hospitalization, leading to speculation in the British press. However, on Sunday evening, Kate was photographed leaving the hospital alongside Prince William, seeming in good spirits.
Kensington Palace has confirmed Kate will continue her recovery at Windsor Castle. While details remain scarce, experts say the surgery was likely planned in advance to treat an underlying condition.
“The Princess is making good progress,” said a Palace spokesperson. “Their Royal Highnesses thank the medical team for their exceptional care.”
Ongoing Health Issues for Kate?
Rumors have circulated for years that Kate suffers from a more serious health condition, potentially related to eating disorders stemming from her early adult years. Some royal watchers believe this surgery may have been to treat issues like this.
As Hello! Magazine notes, “The royal has previously missed engagements due to hyperemesis gravidarum, which she suffers from during her pregnancies. But the surgery has led some to wonder if there is an underlying health issue we’re unaware of.”
Columnist Angela Levin told GB News, “We were told she was in hospital because she was dehydrated but recently we were told she’s had abdominal surgery, we haven’t been told why or what the operation was. It makes you worried that there is something wrong that’s not been revealed.”
Role as Princess of Wales Won’t Be Impacted
Despite recovering from major surgery, experts believe Princess Kate will resume a full schedule of royal duties soon. This may include engagements done virtually from home in the short term.
Royal correspondent Lizzie Robinson tweeted on Monday, “Princess Kate won’t be undertaking any official engagements while she recovers from surgery, but some planning meetings for her early years work are expected to go ahead this week.”
This indicates Kate remains firmly committed to her work, even during recovery. As the surgery is said to have gone well, there are no concerns about Kate’s ability to carry out her role as Princess of Wales once healed.
William and Kate Keep Details Private
As with previous health issues, William and Kate have chosen to keep specifics around Kate’s surgery private. This follows their pattern of handling personal matters discreetly to maintain a degree of privacy.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl told Vanity Fair, “While unplanned operations always spark concern, everyone at the Palace emphasises she is ‘making good progress’ and there is no long-term damage, physically or otherwise, feared by medical staff.”
She added, “William and Kate value their privacy so will share little about the op and her aftercare other than to confirm all is well.”
This need for privacy explains the limited details released, though it has also led to increased speculation in the media.
Potential Causes and Effects
There is still no official word on what specifically prompted this surgery or when Kate first began experiencing issues. Royal correspondent Chris Ship says medical sources have ruled out several possible factors:
I’ve spoken to medical sources and they’ve told me you can rule out cancer. You can rule out gastroenteritis. And you can rule out it being related to Covid or any other kind of infection. This was an abdominal procedure that was planned in advance.
Some experts believe the surgery may have been gynecological in nature. Marlene Koenig, an historian, told The Daily Beast, “There are rumors out there about female problems as well as digestion or gastrointestinal problems.”
Any effects on Kate’s health going forward remain unclear. She will likely need time to fully recover before resuming a busy schedule. Experts expect her charities and patronages to continue running smoothly, however, with royal staff providing support.
Public Send Well Wishes for Kate’s Recovery
As news spread of Kate’s discharge from hospital, warm messages of support flooded social media. Extended family members like Kate’s sister Pippa are also likely cheering her recovery behind the scenes.
The public sympathies highlight the deep affection held for Kate and confidence that she will bounce back, despite this worrying health setback.
The supportive reaction spans traditional media as well. Royal editor Russell Myers wrote in the Mirror, “Everyone connected with the Royal Family will be delighted that the Princess of Wales has been discharged from hospital and can continue her recovery at home.”
What Comes Next
In the near term, Princess Kate will focus fully on her recovery at Windsor Castle. She is likely being helped by her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, as well as the extended Middleton family.
Once healed, Kate will eventually return to carrying out royal duties alongside Prince William. It remains uncertain if lingering health problems will impact her schedule long term.
For now, details on Kate’s surgery and underlying diagnosis are being kept private. Regardless, royal watchers seem confident that with William’s support, Kate will overcome this surprise health scare and continue thriving in her important role.
Overall, this glimpse into Kate’s health reminds us that even beloved royals face private challenges. But if past resilience is any clue, Princess Kate will recover well and remain firmly dedicated to the causes closest to her heart.
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