The Princess of Wales' surgery came as a surprise to those close to her
By Jo Abi|
When news broke that the Princess of Wales ?was undergoing planned abdominal surgery for an undisclosed condition, royal followers were stunned.
So too were many in her circle, according to PEOPLE, with the publication reporting there had been no indication anything was wrong among Catherine's family, friends and staff.
Catherine, 42, had joined the royal family for their annual walk to church at St. Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham, smiling at the gathered crowd.
READ MORE: Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes' relationship timeline
The Prince and Princess of Wales spent the festive season at their country home Anmer Hall with their three children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five.?
Catherine had kept a low profile following Christmas and New Years and celebrated her birthday privately with her family on January 9.
Prince William resumed public duties on January 11, visiting Headlingley Stadium? to pay tribute to Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield, who have raised funds for Motor Neurone Disease following Burrow's diagnosis.
READ MORE: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hold hands on red carpet?
The pair had played alongside each other for Leeds Rhinos rugby league from 2001 until 2015 and have both been awarded CBEs in the New Year's Honours list for their charity work.
?In mid-January Kensington Palace announced Princess Catherine had undergone planned abdominal surgery at The London Clinic on January 16.
"Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital yesterday for planned abdominal surgery," the statement began.
"The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery.
READ MORE: Frederik unveils new signature as King - with one important detail?
For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here
"Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.
"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 as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.
"Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness' progress when there is significant new information to share.
The statement ended by saying, "?The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible."
While the reason for her surgery hasn't been revealed, it is believed to be non-cancerous.
READ MORE: The $16 accessory you need if you're going to Taylor Swift's Eras tour
?She is expected to remain at The London Clinic for up to two weeks before returning home to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to continue her recovery.
"It does sound serious with the length of time [she's taking]. But she is in great hands and will have lots of care and support at home and is a fit young woman," a source close to the royal household told PEOPLE.
"I am sure she will bounce back."
Her parents Carole and Michael and siblings Pippa and James live close by and her parents in particular are expected to play a key role in her recovery.
"Her parents are an enduring factor in the upbringing of their grandchildren," a palace insider told PEOPLE.
"And they will be a reassuring presence when she goes back to Windsor to recuperate."
"She is in great hands and will have lots of care and support at home," they added.
Prince William is expected to postpone some of his royal duties to help care for his wife and children. There was speculation the couple would visit Italy in an official capacity in the coming months however this too will have been postponed.
King Charles will be admitted into hospital this week to treat an enlarged prostate however he is expected to be back to work in approximately a week after treatment for the benign condition.?
