A Complete Timeline of Princess Catherine’s Abdominal Surgery and Recovery
A Complete Timeline of Princess Catherine’s Abdominal Surgery and Recovery
Kate Middleton underwent a ‘planned abdominal surgery’ in January
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Kate Middleton is recovering following a medical procedure.
In January, Kensington Palace revealed that the royal underwent a “planned abdominal surgery” at The London Clinic, which PEOPLE understands was non-cancerous.
Though they didn’t provide any more details about her surgery, they did confirm that she “will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery.” They added that they will continue to provide updates on Kate’s progress “when there is significant new information to share.”
Additionally, the palace revealed that she would be refraining from public appearances for at least three months, meaning she will likely not take part in festivities for St. David’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day.
As more information is shared about Kate’s recovery, here’s everything to know.
December 25, 2023: Kate Middleton makes her last public appearance before her surgery
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Christmas Day marked Kate’s last public appearance before her surgery, when she joined her husband Prince William and children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, for their annual family walk to church in Sandringham.
Kate had a full schedule in December, visiting Evelina London Children’s Hospital, where she opened the Children’s Day Surgery Unit, and attending the Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace. She also hosted her third annual Together At Christmas concert at Westminster Abbey, which highlighted her “Shaping Us” early childhood campaign in its first year.
December 28, 2023: Details about Prince William and Kate Middleton’s 2024 schedule is revealed
As 2023 came to a close, new details were reported about the royal couple’s upcoming appearances, including a reported trip to Rome, Italy. PEOPLE also reported that Kate would have more emphasis on her “Shaping Us” initiative in the new year after launching it in early 2023.
“She was studious and really took her time to understand the topic and really think about how she can take early years and awareness of the early years to the next level across all of society,” a source told PEOPLE about the initiative.
“That will take her on through 2024 and continue to bang that drum,” the source added. “She is unequivocal about that continuing way, way into the future.”
January 9, 2024: Kate Middleton celebrates her 42nd birthday
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On Jan. 9, Kate rang in her 42nd birthday. Kate’s birthday is usually a private and low-key affair, which in the past has included tea parties, family time and relaxing at their country home in Norfolk, Anmer Hall.
On Kate’s birthday, she received well-wishes from the royal family, including King Charles and Queen Camilla who shared a never-before-seen photo from their May 6 coronation day.
January 11, 2024: Prince William steps out solo for his first royal appearance of 2024
Marking his first royal appearance of the new year, the Prince of Wales visited Headlingley Stadium in Leeds solo to meet a pair of friends who have teamed up to raise more than $19 million to fight Motor Neurone Disease, which one of them has.
January 17, 2024: Kensington Palace announces that Kate Middleton underwent a ‘planned abdominal surgery’
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On Jan. 17, Kensington Palace announced that the Princess of Wales underwent a “planned abdominal surgery” at The London Clinic on the previous day.
“The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery,” the statement said. “Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”
The statement also asked for privacy as she tried to maintain normalcy, with her children in mind: “The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that 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.”
January 17, 2024: Prince William postpones official royal duties following Kate Middleton’s surgery
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That same day, PEOPLE reported that William was expected to postpone some engagements to be by Kate’s side and support their family. It’s understood that two upcoming planned international trips have been postponed.
January 18, 2024: Palace sources tell PEOPLE that Kate Middleton is ‘doing well’ after surgery
The day after Kate’s surgery was announced, palace sources told PEOPLE that the royal was “doing well” as she recovered from her surgery.
January 18, 2024: Prince William visits Kate Middleton at the hospital
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On Jan. 18, William paid a visit to his wife in the hospital as she recovered. The Prince of Wales was photographed leaving the private London Clinic at around 12:35 p.m. local time. He drove himself to the hospital, according to U.K. newspaper The Telegraph.
January 29, 2024: Kate Middleton is discharged from the hospital
13 days after her surgery, Kate was discharged from the hospital on Jan. 29, the palace said. “The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress,” Kensington Palace said in a statement. “The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided.
“The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world,” the statement continued.
February 27, 2024: A palace source tells PEOPLE Kate Middleton is ‘doing well’ in recovery
Almost a month after Kate was discharged from the hospital, a palace source gave PEOPLE an update on the Princess of Wales, noting that she “continues to be doing well.” The update came shortly after her husband William made a last-minute decision to pull out of an appearance.
On Feb. 27, William was forced to pull out of attending a memorial service honoring his godfather King Constantine of Greece due to a personal matter. However, Kensington Palace didn’t indicate whether William’s absence was due to Kate’s recovery.
