LONDON — Catherine, Princess of Wales and wife to the future British king, underwent abdominal surgery at a London clinic on Wednesday and will remain in the hospital for up to two weeks, Kensington Palace announced.
The palace said the surgery was planned and successful. The announcement, however, was a surprise. The palace did not offer any additional details about the illness or what procedures were performed.
“Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery,” the palace said. “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.”
The palace added that the 42-year-old princess, wife of Prince William, the heir to the throne, and mother to the couple’s three children, will not be returning to her official duties until after Easter.
The princess was last seen in public on Christmas Day with her family, attending church services, near the royal estate in Sandringham.
The statement continued: “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.”
The palace said they will only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress “when there is significant new information to share.”