Kate Middleton Hospitalized After Abdominal Surgery, Cancels All Engagements Until Easter

The Princess of Wales is not expected to return to royal duties until after Easter, Kensington Palace said in a statement

Kate Middleton is recovering from surgery.

Kensington Palace announced on Wednesday that the Princess of Wales, who turned 42 earlier this month, underwent a "planned abdominal surgery" at The London Clinic on the previous day.

"The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery," the statement said. "Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter."

"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 statement continued. "Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share."

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

PEOPLE understands that the issue was non-cancerous.

Related: Kate Middleton’s Secret Strength: 'She Is Prepared to Fight for What She Thinks Is Right' (Exclusive)

After being discharged from the hospital, Princess Kate is expected to recover at home in Windsor. The Prince and Princess of Wales relocated to Windsor in 2022 from their previous base in London.

Prince William is also understood to be postponing public duties to support his wife during her recovery as well as take care of their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. He will not undertake official duties while Princess Kate is in the hospital or during the early days of her home recovery.

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Related: Prince William Postpones Official Duties to Support Family amid Kate Middleton's Hospitalization

Princess Kate made her last public appearance on Christmas when she joined members of the royal family for their annual walk to church. She walked with Prince William and their three children — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 — to the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Norfolk.

While the Princess of Wales had yet to return to royal duty in 2024, Prince William made his first official outing of the new year last week. At Headlingley Stadium in Leeds, the royal joined Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield, two friends who have helped raise money for research and work to combat Motor Neurone Disease after Burrow was diagnosed with MND in December 2019.

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