Palace gives update on Kate Middleton’s health as Prince William mysteriously skips royal event
Kate Middleton is on the mend following her recent abdominal surgery.
Kensington Palace said in a statement on Tuesday that the Princess of Wales, 42, is “doing well” and is recovering at her home in Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, England.
The update comes as Prince William was set to attend a ceremony that honored his late godfather, King Constantine II of Greece.
The Duke of Cambridge, 41, had to bow out at the last minute due to “personal reasons.” No further details as to why he missed the memorial service were given.
Despite William skipping the event, other members of the royal family gathered to commemorate the life of the late Greek monarch at Windsor Castle, including Queen Camilla; Prince Andrew; Sarah Ferguson; Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi; Princess Anne; and Zara Tindall and her husband, Mike Tindall.
Earlier this month, William attended the 2024 BAFTA Film Awards at Royal Albert Hall on Feb. 18 without Middleton.
The royal has been president of BAFTA since 2010 and stopped by the star-studded event with the Duchess of Wales in 2023.
Body language expert Darren Stanton said that the father of three appeared “confident,” even without Middleton by his side.
“William was in a relaxed emotional state,” Stanton said on behalf of Betfair Slingo. “He also spent a lot of time speaking to the public, where he showed great eye contact and was happy to shake hands, which is a break in royal protocol.”
“This is something we never saw the late Queen [Elizabeth] do. It’s clear that William wants a more relaxed monarchy and wants to be part of the people,” he said.
The Duchess of Cambridge is reportedly “making steady recovery” as she recuperates after her Jan. 16 medical procedure. Just a month after her surgery, she took a vacation to the Firm’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, for some fresh air.
Royal expert Jennie Bond noted that the trip had been a “most welcome change” for her since she left the hospital on Jan. 29.
“One of the great beauties of Norfolk is that it is so accessible from London,” she told OK! magazine.
“I think it’s very encouraging that Kate has been well enough to make the trip to Sandringham. It shows that she is making a steady recovery.”
Bond added: “The same four walls must get a bit tedious when you are recuperating as she is.”
