Kensington Palace has released a new statement as concern grows for the welfare of Catherine, Princess of Wales following her abdominal surgery in January.
After Prince William abruptly pulled out of his late godfather’s memorial on Tuesday due to a “personal matter,” the rumour mill was sent into overdrive regarding Kate’s recovery.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: House of Windsor in disarray.
Stream the world's best reality, entertainment and true-crime shows free on 7plus 
The last time the Princess of Wales was seen out publicly was on Christmas Day.
A spokesperson has since released a rare statement, reiterating the palace had made it clear in January that the princess was not expected to be spotted until after Easter.
“Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the princess’ recovery and we’d only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands,” the spokesperson told Daily Mail.
The palace confirmed on January 17 that Kate, 42, had undergone a successful “planned” abdominal surgery, and would be stepping back from royal duties until about Easter.
In a bizarre twist, hours later her father-in-law King Charles was also admitted — in his case openly stating that he was undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.
During their 13-day stay in hospital, Prince William was spotted visiting his wife once on Thursday, January 18.
Kate’s siblings Pippa and James Middleton and parents Carole and Michael Middleton were never publicly seen visiting the hospital in London.
Queen Camilla was spotted visiting her husband at least three times.
Kate and Charles were both discharged within hours, however Kate was not seen leaving the hospital when she returned to her home in Windsor.
King Charles was seen, reportedly hours later, with Camilla smiling for cameras as he departed The London Clinic Hospital.
The statement from Kensington Palace comes hours after William returned to royal duties with a visit to the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in central London.
The Prince of Wales delivered a message on behalf of his wife when speaking with members of the Holocaust Educational Trust who advocate against anti-Semitism.
“Both Catherine and I are extremely concerned about the rise in anti-Semitism that you guys have talked about this morning and I’m just so sorry if any of you have had to experience that, it has no place,” he said.
“That’s why I’m here today to reassure you all that people do care and people do listen and we can’t let that go.”
However William did not provide any insight as to why he missed the service for his godfather, the late former King Constantine of Greece on Tuesday.
William left 30 minutes before the service was expected to begin at Windsor Castle, a short walking distance from his home on the grounds, Adelaide Cottage, Daily Mail reports.
Charles was also not present, leaving Camilla to represent the royal family at the service.
The concern over William’s withdrawal was so great that Kensington Palace provided a statement on Kate’s condition.
“The Princess of Wales continues to be doing well,” the palace said on Wednesday.
The last time Kate was seen in public was 67 days ago on December 25, 2023, when she attended a church service with William and their children, George, Charlotte and Louis.
The final photo captured of the princess during this occasion is a shot from behind, showing the princess walking behind King Charles and Queen Camilla with her head turned slightly.
More than two months later, the photo takes on a chilling air, being the last shot of Kate before she had the surgery.
Royal commentator Russell Myers observed on Friday that Charles and Kate’s teams were “choosing such different tactics” in terms of managing a health woe.
“On the one hand we have Kate’s health being very closely guarded and we’re often told she has a right to privacy,” he told Sunrise.
“In this case, she has chosen to keep her medical information private.”
Meanwhile, he said the King’s “openness” on his enlarged prostate surgery and cancer diagnosis had been welcomed.
“It’s been really, really positive, I think.
“First of all, speaking about his enlarged prostate, secondly, about his cancer and the huge upsurge in people accessing information and (looking at) the signs and symptoms of both these ailments.”
Myers said it had “been a positive step for the King”.
“On the flip side, with Kate’s condition, they haven’t given us much. So it’s opened the door for speculation, which is rife at the moment on social media,” he said.
“The rumour mill has exploded, certainly in the last couple of weeks, because of the Prince of Wales missing the memorial service this week and we were drip-fed a little bit more information that she was still progressing well.”
Myers said the major “problem” was the palace statement that they did not want to provide running commentary on Catherine’s health.
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipQFodHRwczovLzduZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L3JveWFsLWZhbWlseS9wYWxhY2UtcmVsZWFzZXMtdXBkYXRlLW9uLXByaW5jZXNzLXJlY292ZXJ5LWFzLWNoaWxsaW5nLWxhc3QtcGhvdG8tb2YtY2F0aGVyaW5lLXByaW5jZXNzLW9mLXdhbGVzLXNwb3R0ZWQtLWMtMTM3ODcwNzXSAQA?oc=5
2024-03-01 05:38:55Z
CBMipQFodHRwczovLzduZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L3JveWFsLWZhbWlseS9wYWxhY2UtcmVsZWFzZXMtdXBkYXRlLW9uLXByaW5jZXNzLXJlY292ZXJ5LWFzLWNoaWxsaW5nLWxhc3QtcGhvdG8tb2YtY2F0aGVyaW5lLXByaW5jZXNzLW9mLXdhbGVzLXNwb3R0ZWQtLWMtMTM3ODcwNzXSAQA
