Kate Middleton’s ‘Planned’ Surgery Was a Total Surprise to Some Members of the Royal Inner Circle
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Royal fans were shocked by Kate Middleton’s announcement on Jan. 17 that she had undergone a “planned abdominal surgery.” While the public was processing the news, it reportedly was quite the surprise to many royal family members — that’s how private she was about her health issue.
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It’s understandable that the Princess of Wales wanted to keep her medical situation within her inner circle, but according to People sources, this was a locked-down secret. Kate and Prince William carried on as normal during the holidays with their Christmas walk at Sandringham and the rest of the vacation with their three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, at their Anmer Hall country home. Even their return to Adelaide Cottage at Windsor and Kate’s 42nd birthday didn’t sound the alarm bells — it took until Jan. 11 for eyebrows to be somewhat raised.
The Prince of Wales went back to work on Jan. 11, but insiders started to ask where Kate was. According to the palace source, “there were schedule changes and growing concern.” That’s when the news dropped that Kate was already recuperating from the surgery and would be recovering in the hospital for “10 to 14 days,” according to the Kensington Palace statement on X. She is expected to resume her royal duties “after Easter” which likely means an early April return if her recovery is on track.
Kate’s health announcement was shortly followed up with King Charles III’s treatment for an enlarged prostate — a truly unprecedented time in the royal family for all of this to happen on one day. But Robert Hardman, author of The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy, told Fox News Digital that this is signaling a “new tone” and a “new style of the monarchy.” The royal family is taking a page from Hollywood in how they handle personal situations that might affect their public careers.
An Us Weekly source believes that Kate “may disclose more information in due course,” but for now, “she’s been resting up and enjoying lots of visits from Prince William and the kids.” The Princess of Wales’ job is to recuperate and regain her strength, but she pulled off a power press move by keeping her health woes under wraps.
Before you go, click here to see our favorite Kate Middleton mommy moments!
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