Princess Kate 'doing well' amid hospitalization following abdominal surgery: Palace source

Kate, 42, could remain hospitalized for as long as two weeks, the palace said.

January 18, 2024, 8:22 AM

Kate, the Princess of Wales, is recovering after undergoing abdominal surgery that will leave her hospitalized for as long as two weeks, according to Kensington Palace.

A palace source told ABC News Thursday that Kate is doing "well" in her recovery.

Kate, 42, was admitted to The London Clinic on Tuesday for a "planned" surgery, Kensington Palace announced Wednesday.

The surgery was "successful," according to the palace, but Kate, the wife of Prince William and mom of their three young kids, is expected to remain hospitalized for 10 to 14 days before returning to the family's home to recover.

The palace did not provide further details on the type of surgery Kate underwent, but confirmed to ABC News that the princess's medical issue is non-cancerous.

PHOTO: Catherine, Princess of Wales attends The "Together At Christmas" Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 8, 2023 in London.
Catherine, Princess of Wales attends The "Together At Christmas" Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 8, 2023 in London.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images, FILE

The palace noted that Kate's hospitalization means she is not likely to resume her public duties "until after Easter."

"The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate," the palace said in a statement. "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."

"The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements," the statement continued. "She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible."

While Kate recovers, William has postponed his engagements to help care for her and their kids, according to the palace. Neither William nor Kate will undertake any international travel in the coming months as well.

Kate's last public appearance was on Christmas Day, when she joined members of the royal family for their traditional Christmas morning service at Sandringham, the royal family's estate in Norfolk, England.

Kate was seen walking to church alongside William and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

PHOTO: Kate, the Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, William, the Prince of Wales, Prince Louis and Mia Tindall arrive to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, Dec. 25, 2023.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, William, the Prince of Wales, Prince Louis and Mia Tindall arrive to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, Dec. 25, 2023.
Joe Giddens/PA via AP

William and Kate and their children now live in Windsor, where Kate is expected to spend her recovery.

The family moved in 2022 from Kensington Palace, located in the heart of London, to Adelaide Cottage, a four-bedroom cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle, around 20 miles outside of the city.