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

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’

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 

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 

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.